Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a crucial treatment modality for various orthopedic diseases. Heterotopic ossification (HO) following TJA can lead to limited joint function, pain, and even joint stiffness, significantly compromising the surgical outcomes and increasing the risk of revision surgery. Therefore, HO is a major complication that affects the long-term efficacy of TJA. The incidence of HO after TJA is relatively high. Once it occurs, it can notably impact patients' functionality. However, there is currently no unified consensus on its prevention and treatment among clinicians. This paper systematically reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of HO after TJA, outlines the stratified diagnostic strategies involving X-ray, CT, MRI/ultrasound, and bone scan, as well as the application of the Brooker classification, compares the preventive and therapeutic options for different risk populations, and proposes a management framework of "high-risk identification + individualized combined prevention" to provide a reference for clinical practice.