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Blood supply to bone
Blood supply to bone
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Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

Definition:
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is when the head of the thighbone (femur) in the hip deteriorates due to insufficient blood supply to the area.

Alternative Names:
Coxa plana; Perthes disease

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The blood flow to the femur is interrupted, and the tip of the bone dies over a period of one to three weeks. The disorder causes a flattening of the top of the femur (the ball of the head of the femur). Usually just one hip is affected, although it's possible for both to develop the condition.

A new blood supply causes new bone cells to appear in the region over the next 6 to 12 months. New bone then replaces the old bone within 2 to 3 years.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs most frequently in boys 4 to 10 years old. Recent research shows that this disorder may reflect subtle disorders of blood clotting.



Review Date: 2/12/2003
Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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