Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

A hip disorder in children due to interruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur (the ball in the ball-and-socket hip joint), causing it to deteriorate. The disease is most common at age 6 to 9, tends to affect boys, but is more severe in girls. It can be familial. The symptoms include hip and thigh pain, stiff hip, a limp, and diminution in size of the thigh. Over a period of 18 to 24 months the blood supply usually reestablishes itself. During this period, the bone is soft and liable to fracture under pressure, causing collapse of the head of the femur. Treatment may include casting, bracing, surgery and physical therapy. Also known as Legg, Legg-Perthes and Perthes disease and avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

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Legg-Cal·vé-Per·thes disease 'leg-.kal-'vā-'pər-.tēz- n osteochondritis affecting the bony knob at the upper end of the femur called also Legg-Perthes disease, Perthes disease

Legg Arthur Thornton (1874-1939)

American orthopedic surgeon. Legg published the first description of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in February 1910. He is also remembered for introducing an operation for correcting weakness of the abductor muscles of the thigh in cases of infantile paralysis.

Cal·vé kȧl-vā Jacques (1875-1954)

French surgeon. Calvé published independently a description of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in July 1910.

Per·thes 'per-(.)tes Georg Clemens (1869-1927)

German surgeon. Perthes published his description of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in October 1910. A pioneer in radiotherapy, he studied the biological effects of X-ray treatment in surgery. He used deep X-ray therapy for the first time in 1903.

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(Perthes disease, pseudocoxalgia)

necrosis of the head of the femur (thigh bone) due to interruption of its blood supply (see osteochondritis). Of unknown cause, it occurs most commonly in boys between the ages of 5 and 10 and causes aching and a limp. The head of the femur can collapse and become deformed, resulting in a short leg and restricted hip movement. Affected boys are kept under observation and their activities are restricted; surgery may be required in more severe cases.

A. T. Legg (1874-1939), US surgeon; J. Calvé (1875-1954), French orthopaedist; G. C. Perthes (1869-1927), German surgeon