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Femoral head shape in Perthes' disease. Is the contralateral hip abnormal?
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Children with Perthes' disease exhibit altered femoral head shape, with flattening observed even in the unaffected hip, suggesting a potential constitutional predisposition. This early bony change differs from the rounder cartilaginous head shape.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Developmental Biology
- Radiology
Background:
- Perthes' disease affects the femoral head in children.
- Understanding femoral head morphology is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare femoral head shape in children with unilateral Perthes' disease and healthy controls.
- To investigate early morphological changes in the unaffected hip.
Main Methods:
- Radiographs and arthrographs analyzed using a computerized method.
- Assessment of 47 children with Perthes' disease and 41 controls.
- Evaluation of both bony and cartilaginous femoral head outlines.
Main Results:
- Children with Perthes' disease showed a less round, anteriorly flattened bony femoral head compared to controls.
- The unaffected hip also displayed early signs of anterior and lateral flattening.
- Cartilaginous femoral heads were rounder, with no flattening observed in either group's cartilage.
Conclusions:
- Perthes' disease is associated with distinct bony femoral head shape abnormalities.
- Early contralateral hip involvement suggests a possible constitutional factor.
- Cartilaginous shape differs from bony shape, with no cartilage flattening noted.