Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a rare condition that affects the hips of children aged 2 to 12. It starts when the head of the femur bone (the “ball” in the “socket” of the hip joint) temporarily loses its blood supply. When blood stops flowing to the bone, the tissue starts to die. After a while, the blood flow returns, and the bone slowly repairs itself. But it may not have its original shape and size.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease belongs to a group of disorders called osteochondroses, which involve the degeneration and regeneration of the growing end of a bone. It occurs unexpectedly and for unknown reasons. It progresses in stages, and the whole process can take several years. How much it affects your child depends on how much their bone changes. With treatment, the long-term prognosis (outlook) is good.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) goes by various other names, including:

• Perthes disease.
• Perthes syndrome.
• Legg Calve.
• Legg-Perthes.
• Calve-Perthes.
• Coxa plana.

How rare is Perthes disease?

Estimates suggest Legg-Calve-Perthes disease affects around 1 in 12,000 children worldwide. It’s five times more common in kids assigned male at birth (AMAB) than kids assigned female at birth (AFAB).

What age is Legg-Calve-Perthes most common?

Perthes disease is most common in kids ages 5-7. But it can affect kids as young as 2 or as old as 12.

Is Legg-Calve-Perthes disease permanent?

Perthes syndrome triggers a process of degeneration and regeneration in your child’s femur bone, which can last several years. The condition is temporary, but it can cause permanent changes.

Can Perthes disease cause problems later in life?

If the shape of your child’s femur head changes a lot, it might not fit properly in their hip socket anymore. Treatment can help, but if it continues not to fit, they can develop hip problems later in life.