Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

At Children’s Hospital Boston, we know that the first step to treating your child’s Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is to form a complete and accurate diagnosis.

Our goal is to diagnose Perthes as early as possible in order to prevent continuing hip deformity. If your child receives a diagnosis of LCP, he must avoid putting weight on the hip until after treatment. He may be instructed to use crutches or a wheelchair until he receives treatment.

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for LCP may include:

• x-rays: chief diagnostic tool)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): picks up early stages better than x-ray
• blood tests: to rule out infection
  

  Our Orthopedic Clinical Effectiveness Research Center (CERC)

  Children’s Orthopedic Clinical Effectiveness Research Center (CERC) was established by the Orthopedic Center to improve the quality of life for children with musculoskeletal disorders. This collaborative clinical research program is unique in the nation and is playing an instrumental role in establishing, for the first time, evidence-based standards of care for pediatric orthopedic patients throughout the world.

  If you come from far away, we can help
  As an international pediatric orthopedics center, Children’s cares for young patients from all over the world. Our International Center assists families residing outside the United States: facilitating the medical review of patient records; coordinating appointment scheduling; and helping families with customs and immigration, transportation, hotel and housing accommodations.