Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome (patient information)

Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Who is at highest risk?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome?
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Prevention
Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome On the Web
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome
Risk calculators and risk factors for Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome

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Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [1]

Overview

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is when the ball of the thighbone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die.

What causes Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome?

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease usually occurs in boys 4 - 10 years old. There are many theories about the cause of this disease, but little is actually known.

Without enough blood to the area, the bone dies. The ball of the hip will collapse and become flat. Usually only one hip is affected, although it can occur on both sides.

The blood supply returns over several months, bringing in new bone cells. The new cells gradually replace the dead bone over 2 - 3 years.