Perthes disease affects children between the age of 4 and either although it can also occasionally occur in older children and teenagers. The condition is sometimes also called Legg Calve Perthes Disease. The cause of the disease is not known. It affects the hip joint, where the top of the femur or thigh bone meets the socket of the pelvis or acetabulum. The blood supply to the head of the femur is disrupted, resulting in necrosis where the bone softens and begins to break down. Once the blood supply returns to normal, the bone tissue is laid down and the femoral head reforms and hardens.This will occur over a period of 1 to 3 years. Due to the joint being a ball and socket, one of the main problems is that the re-growth may not form in a spherical shape as before. The severity of deformity of the head of the femur determines the degree of symptoms and if there are likely to be any future problems such as a permanently decreased range of motion at the joint and arthritis. Boys are far more likely to develop this condition than girls, although girls tend to suffer with more severe symptoms and future problems. Symptoms are usually only in one hip, although occasionally can affect both sides. ow.ly/AcHvW
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:01:02 +0000
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