Ambulation-abduction treatment in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD)

Ambulation-abduction treatment in LCPD was proven to be highly successful under conditions of careful selection and proper application. Biologic plasticity of the regenerating capital femoral epiphysis is responsive to the molding forces of a normal acetabulum when the epiphysis is properly centralized. Anatomic studies indicate that less than 50% of the articular surface of the femoral head is in contact with the acetabular surface at a given time, leading to points of high pressure on the contacting surfaces which may adversely affect anatomic recovery. Accordingly, recent trends have been toward ambulation-abduction with preserved motion in the hip joint. This article is a report of 2 recent series of patients treated by ambulation-abduction; one group was treated with a fixed device and the other with a mobile device. The results suggest superior anatomic restitution when some degree of hip motion is allowed in the orthosis.