Perthes disease

Perthes disease is the idiopathic avascular osteonecrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis of the femoral head, also known as Legg-Perthes Disease and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD). In more lay terms, it is caused by an interruption to the blood supply of the head of the femur close to the hip joint.

Incidence

Caucasians are affected more frequently than other races, males are affected 4-5 times more often than females and it is most commonly seen in persons aged 3-12 years, with a median of 7 years of age. In the US, 1 in 1200 children younger than 15 years will have this disease.

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