About LCPD

I AM NOT A DOCTOR. This page is just information I have learned through some research and information our Doctor has told us.  It is not intended for diagnosis, prognosis, or medical advice.  Links to my Internet findings are in the Links page. If/when I find books on this I will also try to post a link for it.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Comes on silently.  By the time symptoms arise the blood supply has been interrupted for many months.

It is unknown why this happens.  There have been many theories throughout the years, but in the end didn't quite fit the bill.  It seems for now it is pretty random.

It typically affects children between the ages of 2 - 13, shorter in stature that are very active.  It is more likely to affect boys than girls, but if a girl does get LCPD it is usually more severe.  The prognosis is better the younger the child is, the younger the better.

1 out of 4 kids that are diagnosed with LCPD in one hip will get it in the other hip, usually within a few months.

What happens

The blood supply to the head of the femur (thigh bone) is somehow interrupted.  This causes the bone to die, it becomes unstable, easily broken and the head of the femur bone can collapse.  Symptoms usually surface when fractures occur.

Symptoms can include but are not limited to:
  • limping (this can come and go)
  • pain in the knee, thigh, groin and/or hip (this can come and go)
  • limited range of motion
  • affected leg shorter than the other
Initial onset of pain is often mistaken for growing pains. Symptoms can come and go for months before it gets painful enough to send you to the doctor or it can happen as quickly as a week or so.

Diagnosis
It is usually diagnosed with a simple X-Ray.  Sometimes an MRI and/or bone scan is needed.

Treatment
Treatment for LCPD can vary, depending on the age of the child, the severity of the condition and other factors.  Primary object of treatment is pain management and keeping weight off of the hip as much as possible to allow it to rest and heal.  Activity is very, very limited. This can be accomplished with a wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc.  In some cases braces or casts are used to keep the child immobile. Ibuprofen or other NSAID's seem to help with pain and inflammation in the joint.

Healing Process
Once the bone has died the body reabsorbs the dead bone tissue.  When all dead bone is gone the body then starts to build new bone.  This process can take anywhere from 18 months to 4 or 5 years.  Once the healing process is complete the child can usually resume normal activity.

Children that have had LCPD are at a higher risk of early onset of arthritis in the affected hip.  Many will need hip replacement around 50 years of age.

As stated above activity is extremely limited.  Swimming, however, has been strongly recommended.  Bike riding can happen eventually, but only occasionally. 

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