Perthes' Disease

What is Perthes' disease?

Perthes' disease effects children from the age of three to eleven years old. The bone structure of the head of the femur degenerates and becomes deformed.

Symptoms for perthes disease are:

• The child complains of tiredness and pain in the groin and sometimes in the knee.
• Pain can be felt in the knee only even though the disease only effects the hip.

What should you do to prevent perthes diesease?

• Seek medical advice if you suspect this disease. Pain in the knee or hip joints in children should always be looked at by a medical professional who will X-ray the hip.
• Depending on how bad the injury is will determine whether it requires no treatment or surgery.