What is Post Perthes deformity?

Perthes disease is a rare childhood condition that affects the hip when blood supply to the hip bone is disrupted. The hip is a ball and socket joint that is made up of the femoral head (ball) and acetabulum (cup/socket). The epiphysis at the upper end of the femur is the growth center that eventually becomes the femoral head. A lack of blood supply affects this growth centre and causes weakening or death of the bone tissue. This can change the shape of the hip and causes pain in the process.

When blood supply to the hip is restored, the bone can reform. During this time it is important to keep the head of the femur inside the hip socket, to encourage the bone to form in a round, normal shape. It is common however to see deformity persist after the healing. This may present as an irregular shape or angle to the femoral neck and head.

Causes

It is unknown exactly what causes Perthes disease to occur. It is thought that trauma that damages the blood vessels or blood clotting disorders may be related. The typical deformities caused by Perthes disease are a high riding greater trochanter, a shortened femoral neck, a larger oval shaped head and a limb length discrepancy. This type of hip deformity can lead to femoral acetabular impingement (FAI).

These post Perthes deformities of the hip can cause poor hip stability, decreased motion in the hip, weak muscles around the hip and pain.

Symptoms

  • Noticeable limp
  • Affected leg is shorter than the normal leg
  • Low-grade ache in the thigh, groin or knee
  • Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
  • Restriction of movement in the hip

Diagnostics

Understanding the underlying causes and properly diagnosing your condition is the first step to treatment. We then provide a holistic approach to helping patients and their families through their surgical journey. Properly supporting you and/or your child, while educating you on the details helps us ensure the most successful outcomes possible. Our hands on, team approach makes patients feel supported throughout the whole treatment process.

To learn more about your condition and receive a diagnosis, schedule a virtual consultation with one of our experienced orthopedic doctors. During this consultation, all your questions will be answered as our specialists guide you through the evaluation process.

Conservative treatment

  • Shoe lift
  • Physiotherapy
  • Anti-inflammatories

Shoe lifts, physiotherapy, and anti-inflammatory medication can all be used as conservative methods of treatment. The following injections may also be used:

Procedure

Cortisone injections

Procedure

Viscosupplement for joint

Procedure

Injections for joints

Surgical treatment

Procedure

Hip arthroscopy and FAI

Procedure

Morscher Osteotomy

Procedure

Surgical hip dislocation

Case studies

16 year old boy with Post perthes deformity

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Highly specialized expert care at CLLC

At the Canadian Limb Lengthening Centre we offer complex deformity correction and limb lengthening surgeries performed by experienced surgeons with the most up to date technologies. When it comes to your care, and treatment of deformity and limb length discrepancy, our surgeons have extensive training and experience.