Perthes - What are the effects of the Disease into Adulthood?

Perthes disease or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease as it is sometimes known, is a rare childhood condition that affects the hip. The blood supply to the hip bone is disrupted, causing bone cells to die, which erodes the hip and causes pain in the process.

Perthes is approximately 4 times as common in boys as girls and generally occurs between 4 and 8 years of age. Active children tend to be more affected. The first symptom is usually a painless limp, but symptoms can be very subtle, with a mild ache in the thigh or knee not being uncommon.

Unfortunately medical agreement on the best way to treat Perthes has not yet been reached. It is treated in various ways but pain management remains a key issues faced by many children. At times, parents are told to "wait and see" to enable the doctors to assess how to best treat their child's condition.

As the condition is not well known, it could occur that the child is not correctly diagnosed with Perthes disease leaving the hip to erode resulting in an odd shape. The effects of Perthes into adulthood are still very much unknown. Doctors have very limited information on how many adults require a hip replacement (if any) and if the disease has had long term consequences on their daily activities.

This webinar aims to address key questions raised by parents, carers and adults affected by Perthes Disease.

Panelists: Nigel Keily, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, United Kingdom and Loredana Guetg-Wyatt, CEO of Steps Worldwide.

Nigel graduated from Nottingham University Medical School in 1991. After house jobs in Nottingham, he worked in Leeds then Manchester. He undertook Orthopaedic training in Manchester and the North West, finishing with a fellowship in Paediatric Orthopaedics at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. During this time, he gained a higher Degree in Orthopaedic Engineering from the University of Cardiff.

Nigel has a Children's and Adult Orthopaedic practice. He undertakes surgery at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.