Introduction. Despite all modern advances the indications and possibilities of treatment in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCPD) are still controversial. In the past 15 years we started using arthrodiastasis of the hip creating negative pressure over the avascular femoral head in some selected cases of LCPD in the active phasis of the disease. Now we present our experience with distraction in LCPD using the original Ilizarov circular frame for the hip. Materials and Methods. From 2015 to 2021, eight patients with LCPD were submoitted to hip distraction; all male ranging from six to 12 years (avg 8.2 years). All patients with bad prognosis, in Catterall Groups III and IV. All patients in the active phasis of the disease. Our follow-up is ranging from two to six years, with an average of 3.4 years. Results. All the preliminary results are good with recovering of range of motion of the affected hip joint in allpatients. After the first month under distraction is possible to observe new bone formation specially in the lateral pillar of the femoral head. Complications were not observed in this group of patients. Conclusions. The main point of this prospective study is to find that is possible to achieve cartilaginous growth on the femoral head stimulated by the traction offered by the external fixator, in a very short period of time. Distraction may be one method for a good treatment in patients aged six years or older with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in the active phase of the disease

We studied radiographs of 125 children (105 boys, 20 girls) with unilateral Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease to examine the epiphyseal development of the femoral head in the contralateral (unaffected) hip. The epiphyseal height (EH) and width (EW) of the unaffected hip were measured on the initial anteroposterior pelvic radiograph. In 109 of the patients (87.2%) the EH was below the mean for normal Japanese children and a significantly small EH (below −2 . sd. s) was observed in 23 patients (18.4%). By contrast, the EW of most patients (95.2%) lay within ± 2 SDs of normal values except for six with a significantly small EW. A strong positive linear correlation (R = 0.87) was observed in the EH:EW ratio in the patients. A smaller EH than expected for EW in our series indicated epiphyseal flattening of the femoral head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease. Our findings support the hypothesis that a delay in endochondral ossification in the proximal capital femoral epiphysis may be associated with the onset of Perthes’ disease

The best method of femoral head containment in Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease (LCPD) is still controversial. Triple pelvic osteotomy allows desired rotation of acetabulum, reduces the relative stress, provides optimum femoral head cover and compensates for shortening. The iliac osteotomy was modified to interlock following acetabular rotation to provide extra stability and allow early mobilisation. Material and methods: We reviewed 21 patients, who underwent interlocking triple pelvic osteotomy for severe Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease, to evaluate their clinical, radiological and functional results. The mean patient age at presentation was 7 years and 7 months. Fourteen hips were in the fragmentation stage whereas 8 were in the early re-ossification stage. Seventeen hips were Herring group C and 5 were group B. Seventeen hips had 2 or more at risk radiological signs. The average period of follow-up was 51 months (range, 33 months to 80 months). The average gain in acetabular head index was 18% and that in centre-edge angle was 22 degrees, more than reported for any other single surgical procedure. According to the Harris hip rating system, there was an average gain of 35 points. Average gains in abduction, internal rotation and flexion were 17, 12 and 28 degrees respectively. The average gain in length of the limb was 6.4 mm. Interlocking triple pelvic osteotomy in LCPD provides good cover of the femoral head, good symptom relief and markedly improved range of motion. Assessment of a few patients approaching maturity has shown a congruent hip joint with a spherical femoral head

The treatment of osteochondritis dissecans after Legg-Calvé-Perthes’disease hasnot been clearly determined. It may be either by simple observation or surgical removal of the osteochondral fragment. We studied the evolution of the lesion in 13 children and reviewed 92 hips reported in the literature. In our patients ten showed a tendency towards spontaneous healing, one required drilling + grafting to obtain fusion, and in two there was separation into the joint. These loose bodies were in the acetabular fossa and caused no symptoms. On reviewing the literature, we found only four cases of hips with loose bodies from osteochondritis dissecans. These were lying in the inferomedial capsule and were also asymptomatic. Treatment of osteochondritis dissecans after Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease should therefore be conservative unless the fragment interferes with the mechanics of the hip

Objectives. Legg–Calvé–Perthes’ disease (LCP) is an idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head that is most common in children between four and eight years old. The factors that lead to the onset of LCP are still unclear; however, it is believed that interruption of the blood supply to the developing epiphysis is an important factor in the development of the condition. Methods. Finite element analysis modelling of the blood supply to the juvenile epiphysis was investigated to understand under which circumstances the blood vessels supplying the femoral epiphysis could become obstructed. The identification of these conditions is likely to be important in understanding the biomechanics of LCP. Results. The results support the hypothesis that vascular obstruction to the epiphysis may arise when there is delayed ossification and when articular cartilage has reduced stiffness under compression. Conclusion. The findings support the theory of vascular occlusion as being important in the pathophysiology of Perthes disease. Cite this article: M. Pinheiro, C. A. Dobson, D. Perry, M. J. Fagan. New insights into the biomechanics of Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease: The Role of Epiphyseal Skeletal Immaturity in Vascular Obstruction. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:148–156. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.72.BJR-2017-0191.R1

Introduction. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) often results in femoral head deformity and leg length discrepancy (LLD). Objective of this study was to analyse femoral morphology in LCPD patients at skeletal maturity to assess where the LLD originates, and evaluate the effect of contralateral epiphysiodesis for length equalisation on proximal and subtrochanteric femoral lengths. Materials and Methods. All patients treated for LCPD in our institution between January 2013 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with unilateral LCPD, LLD of ≥5mm and long leg standing radiographs at skeletal maturity were included. Total leg length, femoral and tibial length, articulotrochanteric distance (ATD) and subtrochanteric femoral length were compared between LCPD side and unaffected side. Furthermore, we compared leg length measurements between patients who did and who did not have a contralateral epiphysiodesis. Results. 79 patients were included, 21/79 underwent contralateral epiphysiodesis for leg length correction. In the complete cohort the average LLD was 1.8cm (95% CI 1.5 – 2.0), average ATD difference was 1.8cm (95% CI −2.1 – −1.9) and average subtrochanteric difference was −0.2cm (95% CI −0.4 – 0.1). In the epiphysiodesis group the average LLD before epiphysiodesis was 2.7 (1.3 – 3.4) cm and 1.3 (−0.5 – 3.8) cm at skeletal maturity. In the non-epiphysiodesis group the average LLD was 2.0 (0.5 – 5.1), p=0.016. The subtrochanteric region on the LCPD side was significantly longer at skeletal maturity in the epiphysiodesis group compared to the non-epiphysiodesis group: −1.0 (−2.4 – 0.6) versus 0.1 (−1.0 – 2.1), p<0.001. Conclusions. This study concludes that LLD after LCPD originates from the proximal segment only. In patients who had had a contralateral epiphysiodesis, the subtrochanteric femoral region was significantly longer on the LCPD side. These anatomical changes need to be considered by paediatric surgeons when advising leg length equalisation procedures, and by arthroplasty surgeons when LCPD patients present for hip arthroplasty

1 . Two cases of osteochondritis dissecans after Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease observed for thirty years are described. 2. Osteochondritis dissecans of the hip can remain in an apparently unchanged state for many years and in these two patients is associated with excellent function, not requiring surgery

A case of osteochondritis dissecans complicating Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease is reported. Despite four years of conservative treatment in an ischial-bearing caliper a part of the fragmented femoral head failed to unite with the rest of the epiphysis and has persisted as an intra-articular loose body. Freehafer (1960) listed the indications for surgical removal of this fragment in such cases: 1) persisting symptoms; 2) dislocation of the loose fragment into the joint with secondary arthritic changes inevitable; 3) a mechanical block to movement of the hip. Since our patient had a relatively symptomless hip with a full range of movement, surgical removal of the loose body was not advised. The prognosis for this hip is nevertheless guarded, and surgery can be reserved for the above indications or for reconstructive procedures should they be required in the future

Introduction: Poor long-time results in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCP) are most often due to degenerative hip disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate if patients with LCP have an increased rate of total hip replacement (THR) compared to sex- and age-matched persons. Material and Methods: 167 LCP patients presented to our institution from 1941 to 1962. All patients were treated conservatively by a Thomas splint. Retrospectively medical records and radiographs were retrieved. Data from the Danish Hip Replacement Register and the Registries of the National Board of Health were collected to get information regarding the number of the patients who had a THR. Radiographs of sex- and age-matched controls for the follow-up group were obtained from The Copenhagen City Heart Study. The following criteria for exclusion were applied. emigrated persons,. persons lost to follow-up and. patients with previous surgery to pelvis or lower limbs. 135 patients (156 hips) were enrolled in this study and 32 patients (35 hips) were excluded. Results: 20 hips out of 156 hips in patients with LCP have had a THR. Mean age at operation for the women was 50 years and 44 years for the men. None of the sex- and age-matched persons have had a THR. Conclusion: LCP patients had a significantly higher risk of THR surgery compared to sex- and age-matched control persons, (p< 0.00 [OR= 49.0 (CI 8.2-infinite)])

Heritable thrombophilic disorders have been proposed as one of the causes for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. A total of 62 patients diagnosed with this disease between 1988 and 1997 and 50 controls were screened for thrombophilia. The incidence and relationship of thrombophilia to the severity of the disease were evaluated. One patient and none of the controls had protein S deficiency. One of the control group and one of the patients had protein C deficiency with the latter child also having a combined deficiency with a mutant factor V gene. The number of children with a mutant factor V gene, protein C deficiency, who were homozygous for the C 677T polymorphism of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase or were heterozygous for mutant G20210A prothrombin did not differ statistically in the study and the control groups. No patient had antithrombin deficiency or positive lupus anticoagulant. We found no correlation between thrombophilia and the extent of the disease. The most common risk factors for arteriovenous thromboembolism showed no statistical significance in our patients compared with the control group or with the general population. These data do not confirm an aetiological role for thrombophilia in Perthes’ disease

Introduction: The purposes of this study are to investigate the inter-relationship between Stulberg class and radiographic hip osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCP) and to determine whether LCP patients develop hip OA more often than sex- and age-matched individuals. Material and Methods: 167 LCP patients presented to our institution from 1941 to 1962. All patients were treated conservatively by a Thomas splint. Retrospectively medical records and radiographs were retrieved. At follow-up weight-bearing AP pelvis radiographs were obtained. OA was present when the minimum joint space width was < 2.0 mm. Radiographs of sex- and age-matched controls were obtained from The Copenhagen City Heart Study. The following criteria for exclusion were applied:. insufficient or missing radiographs. patients who refused to participate,. emigrated persons,. persons lost to follow-up,. patients with previous surgery to pelvis or lower limbs and. dead persons. 52 patients (55 hips) were enrolled in the study and 115 patients (136 hips) were excluded. Mean age for men at follow-up was 53 years and for women 55 years. Results: In the LCP group four hips of 50 hips had OA compared to one hip of 107 hips in the control group. One patient out of 41 in Stulberg class I/II had OA compared to three out of nine in Stulberg class III/IV/V. Conclusion: LCP patients have a significant higher risk of having hip OA compared to a sex- and age-matched control group, p=0.04 [OR=8.5 (CI=0.8–428.8)]. Patients in Stulberg class III, IV or V have a significantly increases risk of hip OA compared to patients in Stulberg class I or II, p=0.03 [OR=13.7 (CI 1.9–97.1)]

Backround: The etiology of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is incompletely understood. Previous studies suggest associations with coagulation problems, anatomical abnormalities in the femoral head blood supply and risks for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we hypothesized that patients with LCPD might have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and diseases of blood and blood-forming organs. Methods: 3,141 patients with LCPD aged 2–15 years, diagnosed between 1965 and 2005 were identified using the Swedish inpatient register. 15,595 individuals without LCPD were randomly selected from among the Swedish general population, matched by year of birth, age, sex, and region of residence. Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusted for socioeconomic index, was used to estimate the relative risks. The patients were also compared with their same-sex siblings. Results: Patients with LCPD had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.70 (95% CI 1.39–2.09) for cardiovascular disease compared with individuals without LCPD. The point estimate was slightly higher among those older than 30 at follow-up (HR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.52–2.91). There were statistically significant higher risks for diseases of blood and blood-forming organs (1.41, 1.07–1.86), which were more pronounced among those older than 30 years at follow-up (2.70. 1.50–4.84). Patients had also statistically significant higher risks for hypertensive disease (2.97, 1.87–4.72), and nutritional anemia (2.92, 1.58–5.40). When siblings were used as the comparison group, the results were consistent for cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: The results are consistent with the hypothesis that an insufficient blood supply to the femoral head due to vascular pathology and other causes are involved in the etiology of LCPD

1. Fifty-two patients with Perthes' disease (affecting both hips in six instances) have been reviewed ten or more years after the beginning of treatment.

2. Judged radiographically, approximately one-third developed good, one-third fair and one-third poor femoral heads.

3. The clinical results paralleled the radiographic. Except with the worst shaped heads, function was excellent.

4. Certain constant early and late radiographic features are recorded.

5. Of the factors influencing prognosis, the age at onset of the disease and the sex of the patient appear to be important.

Purpose

To assess the use of radiographic measurement compared to descriptive classification in the evaluation of Perthes' disease.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the immature femoral head is the final common pathway of the Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease. Since cigarette smoking has been linked to the development of vascular disease, a study was performed to see if there was any association between parental smoking and LCP disease.

The biological parents of 97 children with LCP disease were questioned on their smoking habits, which were compared to a control group of parents with unaffected children. Further comparison was made with respondents from the Perthes’ Association website who completed an on-line questionnaire.

Parents were classified as being smokers or non-smokers on the basis of their smoking habit pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and at the time of diagnosis of LCP being made. There was a higher proportion of children in the LCP group who had parents who smoke (N=67/97, 69%) compared to the control group (N=14/87, 16%). Further analysis showed that the highest rate occurred when both parents smoke before pregnancy (N=37/97, 38%) followed by when only the father smoked (N=23/97, 24 %). Maternal smoking alone appeared to have the least association (N=7/97, 7 %).

In the control group the non-smoking rate was 58/87 [67%]. The changes in smoking patterns with respect to the pregnancy concerned were also noted.

Fisher’s Exact test was used to determine any difference between the study group and the control group. There was a significant difference between the Perthes’ SE group concerned to the controls in all respects except maternal smoking.

Comparison made with data obtained from the Perthes’ association website showed no difference between the two Perthes’ groups.

Conclusion: These results support an association between parental smoking and the development of disease LCP disease.

Aims

The aim of this study was to produce clinical consensus recommendations about the non-surgical treatment of children with Perthes’ disease. The recommendations are intended to support clinical practice in a condition for which there is no robust evidence to guide optimal care.

Aims

To identify a suite of the key physical, emotional, and social outcomes to be employed in clinical practice and research concerning Perthes' disease in children.

Aims

To assess the long-term effect of distal trochanteric transfer (DTT) on the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease (LCPD) following a varus derotational osteotomy (VDRO).