Legg Calve Perthes disease. The late occurrence of coxarthrosis

Abstract

Three groups of patients with LCPD were reexamined at a mean of 25 yr (100 cases, primarily treated), 35 yr (33 cases, primarily treated) and 65 yr (19 cases, untreated) of age. At 25 as well as 35 yr of age a very low frequency of severe radiological coxarthrosis was found (less than 6%). The untreated group comprised a very high percentage of irregularly healed heads. The frequency of severe radiological coxarthrosis was over 85%. Regarding only the irregularly healed heads in the same two groups, a 'possibly significant' rise in occurrence of coxarthrosis was demonstrated during the decade from 25 to 35 yr. The irregularly healed heads showed a 'possibly significant' rise in the occurrence of pain from the age of 25 to 35. Thus, the 'secondary coxarthrosis' arose 20 to 30 yr before the pain at 'primary coxarthrosis', according to the statements of Ruelle.