[Growth retardation and compensatory growth in Perthes disease]

In 12 boys with a unilateral Morbus Perthes' disease who were not surgically treated, growth and skeletal maturation were prospectively recorded from the time of diagnosis onward. There were no significant deviations from the norm at the time the condition was diagnosed. Most of the boys manifested a distinctly retarded growth rate in the first phase following diagnosis; this was followed by a phase of excessive compensatory growth. Skeletal maturation showed a similar course. The course of growth would appear to be an expression of a transitory systemic disturbance.