Perthes Disease

Question 1

also known as

Answer 1

legs-calves- perthes disease

Question 2

definition

Answer 2

idiopathic osteochondritis of the femoral head usually occurring in short hyper-active boys between the ages of 4-9 (i.e. wee bams)

Question 3

pathophysiology

Answer 3

femoral head transiently loses its blood supply which causes avascular necrosis, the femoral head may collapse or fracture but subsequent remodelling ALWAYS occurs

Question 4

prognosis is dependant on the

Answer 4

age of onset of perthes disease because in younger people the acetabulum can mould around the misshapen head of femur and still create and congruent joint and the amount of collapse of the joint

Question 5

progression of perthes disease

Answer 5

1. necrosis
2. fragmentation
3. reossification
4. remodelling

Question 6

incongruent joints cause

Answer 6

early onset arthritis with sever cases needing hip replacements

Question 7

presentation

Answer 7

• young boy between age 4-9
• basically got ADHD
• small stature
• painful limp
• unilateral
• loss of internal rotation and trendelenburgs test positive

Question 8

management

Answer 8

x-rays and avoidance of physical activity and crutches to take load of the hip, extreme severe cases may need surgery