Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

This is a rare childhood condition that result from reduced and temporarily interrupted blood supply to the femoral head of hip joint. As a result of this bone starts to die.

Symptoms

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Stiffness and pain in the hip, thigh, knee or groin
  • Limping during walking
  • Reduce range of motion of hip joint
  • Pain which aggregates during motion and relieve after rest
Causes

Main cause and initiating factor of this condition is not known. Although it results from reduced blood supply to the ball portion of hip joint. As a result of this bone weakens and become prone to fractures.

Complications
  • Increase risk of developing arthritis when grow up
  • Other problems related to hip joint.
Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this condition depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Other tests might include are:

  • X-ray
  • MRI
Treatment

Treatment depends upon age at which onset occurs, amount of damage to the joint, stage of the disease. Treatment options include:

  • Special type of leg cast that keeps the legs separated for four to six weeks.
  • Conservative treatment including activity restrictions, crutches, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.
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