A brief overview of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

1. LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES
DISEASE
A Brief Overview
Kip Horstmann

2. • This information has been gleaned from the National
Osteonecrosis Foundation website:
http://nonf.org/perthesbrochure/perthes-brochure.htm

3. What is Legg-Calve-Perthes?
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a rare (4 out of 100,000)
childhood disease, primarily found in children between the
ages of 4 and 10, although the ages can range from as
low as 2 to as high as 12. Additionally it is found more in
boys than girls. The majority of those cases are unilateral,
involving only one hip joint.

4. What is the cause?
• There is no known cause for the disease, although there
is some speculation that “deprivation” or socioeconomic
status, and second hand smoke might be contributors.
• What is known is that the blood flow is cut off to the
femoral head, which causes osteonecrosis, and
eventually bone reabsorption.
• Many go on to live normal lives after this process,
although some might suffer permanent disability if the
shape of the femoral head is changed, and there is a risk
of osteoarthritis in older age.

5. 4 Stages of LCPD
1. Femoral head becomes more dense with possible
fracture of supporting bone;
2. Fragmentation and reabsorption of bone;
3. Reossification when new bone has regrown; and
4. Healing, when new bone reshapes.

6. Treatment
• The goal of treatment is four-fold:
I) to reduce hip irritability
2) restore and maintain hip mobility
3) to prevent the ball from extruding or collapsing
4) to regain a spherical femoral head
• There are NO known preventative measures

7. Looking to the Future
• Although Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease cannot be
prevented, much has been accomplished toward
minimizing its effects. Research and clinical studies
continue to provide patients with better long-term results.