Myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT) is often encountered by young male athletes participating in contact sports. The purpose of this paper is to review this disorder, characterized by a localized bone formation within muscle and other connective tissues as a result of a single or repeated contusion. MOT merits close attention because it may cause protracted disability and absence from competitive and recreational activities. Moreover, it may be mistaken for serious pathologies such as sarcoma. Confusion regarding the optimal management of MOT may also arise because the literature proposes conservative, experimental and surgical treatment approaches.