|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Counts makingcontact.org
Subscribe to the Contact a Family Directory 
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
Perthes disease
Background
Perthes disease: Clavé-Perthes disease; Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease; Coxa Plana; Osteochondritis of the Upper Femoral Epiphysis
This condition is a disease of the epiphysis (growing head) of the femur (thigh bone) at the hip joint. The cause of the condition is unknown. It occurs due to an interruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur, part or all of which, softens and is deformed by weight bearing. A number of factors, both local and general, act together to result in the above which can result in deformation of the shape of the femur at maturity.
The age of onset of the condition is between two to 14 years of age and occurs mainly in boys rather than girls. Affected children are often a little shorter than average and their bone maturity a little delayed. There is no specific evidence of hormonal deficiencies.
