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Children's health

Perthes Disease

3 replies

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 26/03/2012 14:15

We're waiting for the results of an MRI scan to see if DS has Perthes. He had knee pain last year which went away, then in January woke up unable to walk and in agony. It went away but came back and he was admitted.

The thinking was Irritable Hip but at the follow up he didn't have the same function in the affected leg and was limping very slightly. Xray was normal so he had an MRI scan last week just to rule out Perthes.

I'm feeling a bit nervous about what the scan will say as I know he's on the borderline age wise (he's 8) for having a good outcome if it is Perthes. He's started complaining the last couple of weeks that he's finding it really hard to climb the stairs and now has just started complaining about the bottom of his legs feeling weak.

Rang to see when we can expect results, if we are lucky it will be 11th April. I was fairly confident when it all happened that it was just Irritable Hip and that would be the end of it, now I'm not quite so sure. I started another thread when it was all happening and I know there are a few people whose children have had Perthes, I'd really welcome hearing about peoples' experiences. Many thanks.

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Kay098 · 26/03/2012 14:26

My DD had Perthes aged 2yr 10mth, the limp and the leg pain is 'referred pain' when the real pain is in the hip, the doctor on ortho didn't diagnose it but one one of the ortho nurses spotted it because when she walked she didn't put her heel fully to the ground - classic sympton apparently.X-rays confirmed it. DD was in traction for 3wks to stretch the muscle around the hip to allow the 'head' of the femur to repair (as far as i can remember) We went back every 6mths for nearly 4yrs and she is now classed as 'post-perthes', she has to be aware that she will probably get arthritis sometime in her 40's. She is now 14 and has no after affects whatsoever she is a normal teenager (mood swings included!)

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WynkenBlynkenandNod · 26/03/2012 19:16

Thanks Kay. Glad to hear she's doing well, DS already has the teenage mood swings! I was watching him walk out of school today and he did look like he was limping a bit. I guess we'll know if anything is going on in a bit, I just want to know one way or the other.

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StressedoutMotherofTeens · 31/12/2012 19:08

Not long joined MN. But my son was diagnosed with Perthes Disease at 3 years old and is now 13 and awaiting an operation to stunt the growth of the good leg. He experienced years of pain (waking up in middle of night in agony) plus aches when cold etc. However he had a lot of hydrotherapy and physio and up until last year was routinely examined every 6 months. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. How is your son now?

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