Formula to Predict Outcome of Perthes' Disease in Children

Doctors at the Chiba Hospital in Japan have come up with a formula to predict the prognosis for children with Perthes' disease. This is important because the earlier the treatment, the better the results.

Perthes' disease (also known as Legg-Perthes' disease) affects young children. For some unknown reason the blood supply to the hip is cut off. The bone starts to die. The goal of treatment is to avoid severe deformity and arthritis.

By studying children with Perthes' disease researchers have been able to look back and see what factors predict the final outcome.

In this study age when the disease first occurred was one of several important factors. The other two are changes seen on X-rays. The first is involvement of the epiphysis (growth plate at the top of the femur or thigh bone). The second is hip subluxation (partial dislocation).

The authors say now that they have a predictive formula they will test it out on a new batch of patients.