Many orthopedic conditions affect children and the cause in most of them is identified easily. While on the other hand, there are several conditions affecting children in which the exact cause is either unknown or ongoing studies are there to define their cause. One such condition that we are going to discuss in this post is "Perthes Disease.
Also known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, it is named after three doctors who have first identified this condition. Though this condition is rare yet, it could be severe enough to cause lifetime impairment. Perthes disease only occurs in children and the most affected age group is between 3 and 11 years. Most cases of this condition are said to heal with medication, immobilization, and physical therapy. But in certain cases, surgery using metal plates and screws might also be required. Surgery is often done in older children above 8 years of age. For true quality implants, it is important to find the best orthopedic equipment manufacturers.
Overview of Perthes Disease
It is a rare condition that affects hips in children causing pain and inflammation. Due to this, the child might start limping or abnormal walking behavior may be noticed.
Perthes disease is known to occur when the blood supply to the "ball" part of the "ball and socket joint" joint of the hip is temporarily affected. Lack of blood supply to this part of the femur (femoral head) results in cell death and eventually collapse. The extent of the injury decides what type of symptoms will be there. This is the only known cause of Perthes disease and the stage where it gets diagnosed will decide what type of treatment will be given and how fast the recovery will be.
Symptoms of Perthes Disease
As we've discussed above, the severity of the disease will define certain symptoms. Limping or unnatural way of walking is the most commonly noticed symptom whereas, others being:
Stiffness in the hip joint along with a reduced range of motion
Pain in the knee, groin, or thigh
Shortened affected leg causing the uneven leg length
Irritation and inflammation in the hip area
Diagnosis of Perthes Disease
A number of tests and examinations are required to diagnose Perthes disease but before going to that, physical examination, presenting symptoms monitoring, and medical history check are done. These examinations help the doctor better assess the condition of the child and know the symptoms he/she is facing. All these points are important for the correct diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Besides all this, other radiological tests like x-ray, MRI scan, ultrasound, and bone scan along with other blood tests may also be performed.
Treatment of Perthes Disease
The condition is known to heal itself in most cases when the blood supply becomes normal to the femoral head. But certain cases also require medication and physical therapy. The best treatment procedure will depend upon the severity of the condition and the age of the child. Let us have a look at certain ways by which this Perthes disease is treated:
Regular monitoring and physical examinations by the doctor
Prescribed analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication
Physiotherapy under guidance to ensure mobility & strength of the hip joint
Application of a brace, cast, or splint, if required
Avoiding high-impact activities
Best rest when pain is worse
Surgery only in severe cases or when other treatment procedures fail to provide relief
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