Our family is facing a new problem. Both my husband and I are currently unemployed and without insurance. Our four-year-old son was just diagnosed with Perthes hip disease. We can't afford treatment for him. What are his chances for recovery without surgery?
Legg-Calvé-Perthes (or Perthes) disease affects the hip (or hips) of children between the ages of four and eight most often. The condition develops after there has been an interruption in blood flow to the growing centers of the hip. Those growth centers (called the capital femoral epiphyses) are located at the round top of the femur (thigh bone). Without enough blood, the bone starts to die, a process referred to as necrosis. The dead bone cells are eventually replaced by new bone cells but this can take several years. Age is the determining factor in this condition. Recovery is more likely in children under the age of eight. Many children have mild LCP, and they are able to heal and recover fully even without treatment. The hip actually remodels itself and remains smooth moving. Early degenerative hip arthritis does not always occur and these children have no hip problems in adulthood related to their childhood history of Perthes disease. It's best if the treating physician can follow the child closely. X-rays and MRIs help show the four stages of Perthes disease. These four stages are 1) necrosis (death of bone cells), 2) fragmentation (breakdown of dead bone), 3) regeneration of bone (new bone forms), and finally, 4) healed replacement of normal bone tissue. There are some complications that can develop along the way. Recognizing and treating these early on can prevent problems later. There are changes in our health care system now that are meant to protect children whose families do not have health care coverage. Contact your local public health department and find out where you can go to get the services your child needs. Don't assume there are no answers to this dilemma you face or that you have to figure it out by yourself. There are also physicians who take cases on a pro bono (free) basis. Everyone understands there can be tough economic times that call for a community solution to an individual's needs. Just asking the question in this forum is a good place to start!
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