Legg-Perthes

Legg-Perthes disease, technically known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LPCD), refers to a form of osteonecrosis of the hip, the condition in which the ball of the thighbone in the hip does not get adequate blood that causes the latter to die. The ball collapses and flattens out. Though it can occur on both hips, but only one is affected normally. The blood supply is regained after several months with growth of new bone cells that replace the dead bones in a period of 2-3 years. Legg-Perthes is mostly found among children, particularly boys between 4 and 10 years of age. Besides limping, other symptoms of the disease include knee pain, groin pain, hip stiffness, shortening of the leg, and limited motion.