Perthe's disease - hips.

[Weegiemum]

After our referral a few weeks ago we saw the consultant yesterday about our 4 and half year limping with pain daughter.

She has been diagnosed with Perthe's disease, degeneration of the bone at the top of her femur, which will self-heal over 12-18 months but in the meantime the main treatment is as much rest as possible! NO running, jumping, only limited walking, no PE when she starts school, some cycling, lots of swimming. We are getting an OT referral to get a large buggy for her (I dont drive, so we do most things by walking).

We're really lucky as Yorkhill in Glasgow is THE place for Perthe's int he whole UK and our consultant has a special interest in it. But it would help to hear of any other families who are coping with it.

We know we are lucky as well as she is under 5, not overweight, there is no family history, we got it in good time - less lucky in that 90% of the femur head is involved.

Anyone else out there with it?

Not my family and I am not at all clued up.. but I have an aquaintance whose DS was diagnosed with it at, I believe 5. All I can tell you (by way of a positive story) is that she was advised that swimming was a good therapy so she enrolled him at our swimming club. A few year on he is much much better. You would not know he had had a problem; swims, walks normally.

Sorry not to be v. helpful but maybe you could ask about swimming for your DD?

Yes, swimming has been highly recommended by the doc, says 3-4 times a week, which will keep her happy - and cycling, though she complains that it gives her a sore bum!

Luckily she is already a good swimmer - much to the consternation of local lifeguards as she looks far too small to swim a length but can!

the younger they are, the better the prognosis, so I am hoping it will have a good outlook.

I had this as a child ,in my day you had to spend a considerable amount of time in hospital on traction ,I was older when it was diagnosed,8 I think,the whole thing took about 2 years to heal I suppose but I am now a healthy 42 year old with 3 children and no real hip problems although I that side does tend to be less flexible and can give me a twinge in winter

I had this as a child ,in my day you had to spend a considerable amount of time in hospital on traction ,I was older when it was diagnosed,8 I think,the whole thing took about 2 years to heal I suppose but I am now a healthy 42 year old with 3 children and no real hip problems although I that side does tend to be less flexible and can give me a twinge in winter

Sorry problem with mouse!!

Weegiemum - bumping this up for you. There's a poster called tharsheblows whose ds has recently been diagnosed with Perthes. If I see her around I'll point her to this thread.

Hi My CM's DS1 has this and had surgery about a year ago.
I was his teacher when it was diagnosed and as it was all coming to a peak.
He was in quite alot pain and he often arrived late to school because he had to have his breakfast when his took his meds. When he seemed extra wobbly / or distressd we rang her straight away and she picked him up from school.
He recovered very well and was walking with a frame soom after the surgery.

Our consultant is goign for pretty conservative treatment right now as dd2 is so young. There are no plans for surgery until it has been given the chance to resolve on its own. The worst bit is he has said painkillers are counterproductive - if she is sore she wont move around, and moving around is the worst thing for it. So we can give her ibuprofen if she cant sleep, but he said no through the day. So when she was limping and crying this morning it was awful as I wanted to help but couldn't.

I'd be great to talk to tharsheblos is she is about!

anyone? bumping for mself, really!

Weegiemum i don't have personal experience of this only that my best mate's son had it as a toddler (i believe he was either 2 or 3) and was also treated at Yorkhill. He didn't have surgery i'm positive of that and at the age of 12 he was also run over on Byres Road and broke the leg on the same side he was affected! However, he is a healthy fit strapping lad now, 24yrs old just had a son of his own. He doesn't complain about it but has the odd twinge when the weather is very cold. We were actually talking about this the other week which is why i am replying to this when i saw it on the board.

I am supposed to be seeing them over the weekend (don't know if this will happen as events have just taken a bit of a turn for us) but when i do speak to him i'll ask for more info and post.

Hope your wee one is ok and you too for that matter x

Sure she will be OK

I bet he was treated by Mr SHerlock, who seems fab, he is retiring in 18 months, so thinks he will see dd2 through to the healing phase!

Byers road is a bugger - I only cross at the lights at the top or half way down! Mainly do dh can go to the Oxfam music shop!!

Are you in Glasgow?

Possible it was same consultant but i will ask when i see him and get as much info as i can! Sounds like she is in good care anyway and as you say the treatment there is the best in the country IMO as well.

It is a bit of a race with the cars and i ALWAY cross at Highburgh Road, well since i had ds anyway.

Yes, used to be on Byres Road for years and then moved away. Just came back before DS was born and am at the other side of the park now.

I'm a southsider but head over your way for good coffee and bookshops! Will keep dd2 in her (overstressed) buggy till I get one from the OT's in the next week or so!

Well give us a shout if you are ever at a loose end. My niece has just been admitted to Yorkhill so may well bump into you at some point without knowing it!

Good luck with the buggy sitch and i do wish your wee one a speedy recovery and as free from pain as poss.

Often at a loose end! I"m a full time student at the mo, so often fancy free!!!

Hope your niece is OK - will she be in for long?

Well the offer is there, am often found aimslessly wandering around the west end or hiding in a coffe shop!

Don't know about niece, got a call couple of hours ago saying she has been in hosp in Wish all day and being transferred over here tonight. They are sure its leukemia so very scary. Hence me on here still at this time of night with a young one of my own to get up for in the morning. Aaaaargh!!!! Cannot sleep!

+++ thoughts for your niece.

Ds had leukaemia scare a few months back but was just growing very fast,

you niece and whole family are in my prayers tonight

xxx

its so hard to sleep when any kid youknow is ill.

dd2 (perthes kid) will be up at 7, others a few mins later. So what am I doin gon MN at half past 2 inthe morning!!>????

ust the way it goes when a kid youknow is unwell!

Thank you Weegiemum and same to you and yours xxx

DH is now at my back - will try and get some shut eye. May well be back on in half an hour though!

You try and get some sleep too, neither of us are any good when we are tired (says me telling you!)

Night and sleep well xx

night XXX
bloody dh's , get you every way you turn (except mine, who is snoring away yipeee!!!)

bumping for the morning bunch!