[Perthes disease-news in diagnostics and treatment]

Perthes disease remains a challenge for paediatric orthopedic surgeons. X‑ray imaging is still the method of choice for diagnostics and follow-up examination. A more detailed differentiation of Waldenström's classification, especially in early and late fragmentation stages, might be relevant to optimize timing of containment surgery. So-called "advanced MRI" imaging might help to detect patients at risk earlier than conventional x‑ray imaging, which could lead to earlier surgical intervention.

Currently there is no treatment modality available which would improve the bone changes in Perthes disease. Non-operative treatment like improving hip range of motion as well as unloading is still the basic standard of care, with analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory medication, according to symptoms or findings. In the case of loss of containment, especially in children older than 6 years, surgery is indicated. Currently, there is a trend favoring acetabular reorientation techniques-especially the triple osteotomy, since the biomechanical relations would not be additionally impaired as in case of femoral varus osteotomy.