I’ve been researching a hip problem our six-year-old grandson has called Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. It looks like this is something that’s been around for a long time. What can we expect for our grandson. Surely by now they have come up with a cure, haven’t they?

Perthes disease is a condition that affects the hip in children between the ages of four and eight. The condition is also referred to as Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in honor of the three physicians who each separately described the disease 100 years ago.

In this condition, the blood supply to the growth center of the hip (the capital femoral epiphysis) is disturbed, causing the bone in this area to die. The area affected most is the head of the femur (thigh bone). This has been confirmed with today’s modern imaging studies. As a result of this blood loss, the bone dies and starts to collapse. Soon the smooth, round head of the femur starts to flatten and deform.

How the bone heals determines what problems the condition will cause in later life. Perthes disease may affect both hips. In fact, 10 to 12 percent of the time the condition is bilateral (meaning that it affects both hips). This condition can lead to serious problems in the hip joint later in life.

That’s why every effort is being made to continue studying this problem so that today’s children affected by Perthes disease will have a good outcome. Though no cure has been found, but early detection and intervention may make a difference. Research is ongoing to find more effective ways to restore the natural shape and strength of the hip.