What is Leg-Calve-Perthe’s Disease (Avascular Necrosis of the Hip)?

Leg-Calve-Perthe’s disease, or Perthe’s disease, is a rare childhood disorder where blood supply to the head (ball) of the femur (thigh bone) is temporarily disrupted. The lack of blood supply results in avascular necrosis, where the bone cells begin to die.

There are 4 stages of Perthe’s disease. Stage 1 is the early stage when the bone cells begin to die due to the lack of blood supply. Stage 2 is called fragmentation and it involves the flattening of the weakened bone with normal daily weight bearing activities, such as hiking. Jogging and climbing stairs. Stage 3 is the reparative stage were the dead bone cells are being removed and replaced by new bone. This is the longest stage and can last 3-5 years. Stage 4 is the final, healing stage, and is reached once all of the bone has been restored.

Perthe’s disease typically affects children between the ages of 4 and 9 and presents as a gradual onset of pain and a limp in one or both legs (less likely) and may follow a history of trauma or metabolic disease. Other symptoms involved in this disease may include a limited range of motion and stiffness in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee, and pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee that gets worse during activity.

Does this sound like a condition you are suffering from? We offer services that can aid in your recovery!

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Mills S, Burroughs KE. Legg-Calve-Perthe’s Disease. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513230/

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