Physical Therapy for Perthes Disease (Legg-Calve-Perthes)

The National Osteonecrosis Foundation reports that Perthes disease, also known as Legg-Calve-Perthes, affects one in 1,200 children, mostly boys. Physical therapy is a standard and effective part of Perthes disease hip treatment.

Definition

• Characterized by a lack of blood flow to the hip joint, Perthes disease causes a temporary condition that leads to bone death in the femoral head, the ball-shaped head of the thigh bone. The femoral head becomes unstable, will break easily and heal poorly. With Perthes disease, hip movement is restricted, and the area becomes severely inflamed and irritated.

Physical Therapy

• When blood flow naturally returns to the hip, the body grows new bone and tissue. Treatment of Perthes disease aims to keep the femoral head inside the socket--called "containment"--and restore its spherical shape. For many cases of Perthes disease, hip restoration is achieved without surgery by using physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication.

Range of Motion

• With Perthes disease, achieving and maintaining a good range of motion proves the best way to achieve proper containment of the femoral head. In treating Perthes disease, hip abduction and hip rotation are the two physical therapy moves used to restore and maintain range of motion. Hip abduction moves involve the child pushing or squeezing his knees against an opposing force, such as a parent's hands. Hip rotation is achieved by the child laying down with her legs straight out and rolling them inward and outward.