children s health issues
Legg Calvé Perthes Disease
Introduction
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease involves destruction of the hip in children. This disease is caused by a poor blood supply to the upper growth plate of the thighbone near the hip joint. Typical symptoms include hip pain and trouble walking. The diagnosis is based on x-rays and sometimes magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment includes immobilization of the hip and bed rest. (See also Overview of Bone Disorders in Children .) Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is an osteochondrosis, which is a group of disorders of the Overview of Bone Disorders in Children that occur when the child is growing rapidly. Doctors are not sure what causes osteochondrosis, but the disorders do seem to run in families. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease develops most commonly among boys between the ages of 5 and 10. The disease usually affects only one leg. About 10% of children have a relative who has the disease. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is caused by a poor blood supply to the upper Overview of Bone Disorders in Children of the thighbone (femur) near the hip joint. The poor blood supply causes the end of the thigh bone to die and collapse (avascular necrosis or 