Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a condition that affects the hip joint, primarily in children, and is caused by a temporary loss of blood supply to the ball part of the hip joint (the femoral head). This lack of blood flow leads to bone death (osteonecrosis) and can cause the bone to weaken, break down, and eventually deform. Recognizing the signs of this disease early is crucial for timely treatment and better outcomes.
The **most common early sign** of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a **limp** that develops gradually without any obvious injury or trauma. The limp may start off mild and then worsen over weeks or months. Children might begin to favor one leg, avoiding putting full weight on the affected side because of discomfort or pain. This limp is often painless at first but can become painful as the disease progresses.
**Pain** is another key symptom, although it may not always be felt directly in the hip. Instead, children often complain of pain in the **groin, thigh, or knee**, which can make diagnosis tricky since the knee pain might lead doctors to look for problems there instead of the hip. The pain is usually intermittent and worsens with activity, such as walking, running, or playing.
Children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease may also show **stiffness or limited range of motion** in the affected hip. They might have difficulty moving the leg outward or rotating it, which can be noticed when they try to sit cross-legged or put on shoes and socks. This stiffness results from inflammation and changes in the shape of the femoral head.
Another sign is **muscle wasting or weakness** around the hip and thigh due to disuse. Because the child avoids using the painful leg, the muscles can shrink and become weaker over time, which can make walking even more difficult.
In some cases, parents or caregivers might notice that the child has a **shorter leg on the affected side**. This happens because the damaged femoral head can collapse and lose height, causing the leg to appear shorter.
As the disease advances, the child may develop a **noticeable limp or altered gait**, sometimes described as a “waddling” walk. This occurs because the hip joint no longer moves smoothly, and the body tries to compensate for the pain and instability.
In younger children, the symptoms might be subtle and easily missed, but in older children, the signs tend to be more obvious and severe. The disease typically affects children between the ages of 4 and 10, with boys being more commonly affected than girls.
Sometimes, a child with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease might have a history of a minor injury or trauma that seems to trigger the onset of symptoms, but often there is no clear cause. The disease is idiopathic, meaning the exact reason why the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted is unknown.
To summarize the signs in a straightforward way:
– Gradual onset of **limping**, often worsening over weeks or months
– **Pain** in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee, especially after activity
– **Stiffness** and limited movement in the hip joint
– **Muscle weakness or wasting** around the hip and thigh
– Possible **shortening of the affected leg**
– Altered walking pattern or **waddling gait**
– Symptoms usually appear in children aged 4 to 10, more commonly boys
Recognizing these signs early and seeking medical evaluation is important because early diagnosis can lead to treatments that help preserve the shape of the hip joint and reduce long-term complications. If a child shows any of these symptoms, especially a limp or hip pain without a clear injury, a healthcare provider should be consulted for proper assessment and imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis.
