Anybody know anything about Perthe's Disease?

[Coathanger]

My poor DS1 is having tests done to see if he hass something called Perthe's disease. I have no idea what it is and an a bit worried to be honest.

He was complaining of a sore hip on SUnday morning but I just though he had pulled a muscle or something. He went to school yesterday but I made him an appointment with his GP for yesterday evening because he could hardly walk. She referred him immediately to children's ward to be seen by the Paeds and we spent last night there waiting t be seen. All we were told was that he needed blood tests as they though it was due to a virus. So we went home to return early this mornig for blood tests - they were clear so needed to see an orthopaedic doctor. He has said he is sure it is this Perthe's diease and he has got to hav ex-rays tomorrow to confirm it.

Has anyoe heard of it and can ell me about it, or do any of you have children with it?

Hope you can help me :)

TIA

Sorry about the typos by the way - its late and its been a long day :(

How old is he?

\link{http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/perthes2.shtml\I found this?}

Hi Katymac! Thanks for that - it i svery good.

DS1 is 6 (7 in May) so is right age and is showing all symptoms :(

One of my cousins had it years ago when we were kids. The treatment then involved being in plaster from above the knee to the ankle, with a wooden bar between the ankles, ie. holding the legs apart at a particular angle. He had the plaster on for a while, but couldn't tell you how long.

I would imagine the treatment must have been a bit inconvenient for his parents, but we all took it in our stride. He's a completely healthy 30-something now.

Your poor cousin frogs :( That must have been a real burden for him. But good to hear he has recovered fully :)

He was about 7 at the time, and he used to play it for laughs or sympathy as the situation required. He had a little wheelchair for when he needed to go longer distances, and we used to push him around in it. It was great for cadging icecreams and sweeties off little old ladies. Oh, and great cover for shoplifting too. He was a demon.

Every so often we'd get the pitying, 'Oh does he take sugar' routine. Those people got singled out for very special treatment. I suspect they thought twice before patronising disabled people again.

Well took DS1 back to hospital today to have xrays done and they were okay - normal. So the orthopods can't say if it is Perthe's od if it isn't :( If it is then it is in the very early stages, but if it isn't they aren't able to tell me what it is. They have to rule out an infection or virus as his blood tests show no markers for infection. So I am still in limbo and have to take him back tomorrow to see orthopods again.

i had this as a child, i spent a week in hospital in traction, with weights hanging from both feet.
they didnt know what was wrong at first, i can remember i could barely walk it was so painful.
am 30 now, and dont really have any problems any more, sometimes get a stabbing pain in hip but very rarely, and im not even really sure if its related to that.
hope hes ok soon.

you beat me to it CH!
Was just posting on your thread saying we should do a sep thread up!
You are same limbo as me but dd has no hip pain, she is very certain its her knee BUT her knee is not too bad when she crawls, she ahs no hip movement probs at all...
Is very confusing huh...
Have they ruled out a post viral inflammation -irritable hip in your ds?

Well we are booked in see another consultant orth on Monday via the fracture clinic.
Have found out from genetic consultant, that Perthes is not uncommon in Noonan Syndrome children, many joint growht problems are knwon to have occured, also there is a potential blood clotting factor problem in ref to Perthes and it also occurs in Noonans.
DD no better, infact she is worse if anything. Seems like a long wait til Monday.