Legg Calve Perthes Disease eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Author: George D Harris, MD, MS 2004
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is avascular necrosis of the proximal femoral head resulting from compromise of the tenuous blood supply to this area. LCPD usually occurs in children aged 4-10 years. The disease has an insidious onset and may occur after an injury to the hip. In the vast majority of instances, the disorder is unilateral. Both hips are involved in less than 10% of cases, and the joints are involved successively, not simultaneously.
Synonyms and related keywords: LCPD, osteochondrosis of the femoral head, avascular necrosis of the proximal femoral head, intermittent limp, abductor lurch, painless limp, persistent hip pain, Trendelenburg gait