Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Patients/parents should be advised that any acute pain should be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen. A short period of rest is recommended during acute exacerbations. This may be followed by a period of limited activities and/or sports until the pain resolves and hip motion is restored. Full resumption of normal activities are only allowed following this. A short and variable period (up to 6 weeks) in abduction plaster(s) may be required if symptoms are severe.

Patients who undergo surgical containment should be advised that the wound must be kept dry and clean until it has healed completely. The operated limb should be maintained in a non-weight-bearing status for 6 weeks or until there is evidence of union. Implants may need removal a year after the procedure.

During the fragmentation phase, and prior to reossification, the head is vulnerable to deformity with high impact activities. To avoid excessive force through the soft femoral head, patients are advised to modify activities to avoid falling at speed or from a height onto the affected hip. Once evidence of reossification is identified on radiographs, healing has commenced and high impact activities can slowly be reintroduced.