What Is Perthe S Disease?
Perthe’s Disease
What Is Perthe’s Disease?
It is a disease which is characterised by the loss of circulation to the ball of the hip joint, in a growing child. This results in the death of bone cells and a crumbling of the head of the femur (the ball of the hip joint).
The loss of circulation is followed by a process in which the blood vessels re-grow, over a period of 18 – 24 months. During this period the bone is soft and liable to fracture under pressure, causing collapse of the head of the femur. If the bone heals in this collapsed position there can be long term difficulties with stiffness and pain at the hip.
The cause of Perthe’s is unknown and it occurs more frequently in boys than girls. It is common from ages 3 to 8 and it is unusual to have it in both hips
What is current treatment?
- The aim of current treatment is to ‘contain’ the head of the femur (thigh bone) in the socket of the hip and to maintain the spherical shape of the head of femur as much as possible.
- There are a variety of ways of doing this and children will be monitored regularly by the orthopaedic surgeon. Surgery or splinting may be necessary.
In order to prevent fractures while the bone is soft and the blood vessels are re-growing, children must avoid the following:-
- High impact activities such as jumping, running, hopping, climbing, skipping.
- Contact sports such as rugby, karate.
- Walking long distances (your child may be referred for assessment for a buggy or wheelchair).
The following activities may be done with care and with advice from the consultant:-
- Swimming and cycling but care must be taken not to ‘jar’ the affected hip.
Children can be allowed to be active in the following ways:-
- Ball skills in sitting or on the floor.
- Self propelling their wheelchair.
- Short walks, if no evidence of pain or limp.
- Floor activities during P.E., e.g. log rolls, stretches.
If a child is noted to be limping or complains of pain, then they should rest and parents should be made aware that this has occurred.
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Useful Contacts
Children’s Physiotherapy Department
The Willows
Glencaple Road, Dumfries. DG1 4TG
Telephone: 01387 244581 or 244503 or 244573
Children’s Physiotherapy Department
Waverly Medical Centre,
Dalrymple St, Stranraer. DG9 7DW
Direct Dial: (01776) 707707 ext. 35334
Children’s Physiotherapy
Newton Stewart Hospital, DG8 6LZ
Telephone: 07739438431
Email:
Perthe’s Association Scotland
29 Leander Crescent
Deanpark Estate
Renfrew
PA4 0XB
Telephone: 0141 885 0001
Website:
This information is also available on request in other formats by phoning 01387 244581.
Produced by Children’s Physiotherapy Services 2016 (v1) Review Apr. 2018