Perthes Disease Clinic

Perthes disease is caused by disruption in the blood supply to the femoral head. The femoral head is a rounded structure located within the hip joint socket formed by the pelvic bones, together creating the hip joint. During childhood, the femoral head grows rapidly. Impaired blood supply to the area results in damage to the spherical shape of the head. While it can regrow within a few months, it tends to lose its round shape. The goal of treatment for this condition is to ensure proper growth of the femoral head, preserving a round shape that can function properly within a healthy hip joint in adulthood.

Perthes disease commonly occurs between the ages of 4 and 12, and the exact reasons for its occurrence and severity are not fully understood. It is more prevalent in boys. The likelihood of achieving full recovery decreases as the affected child gets older. We anticipate complete healing in children under the age of 6, where their femoral head will fully recover and grow in a completely rounded manner.

At the Perthes Disease Clinic at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, we assess the severity of the disease based on various measurements (medical history, examination findings, and advanced imaging results) and provide treatment according to the severity of the condition and the child's age.

Current treatments for Perthes disease fall into two categories: conservative treatments, aiming to maintain range of motion in the hip joint, based on physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, stretching, and devices; and surgical treatments, aiming to improve the structure of the femoral head during its affected period and make it more rounded.

We choose the type of treatment based on the child's age, severity of the disease, and the likelihood of improvement with each treatment.

Simultaneously, we participate in international research on Perthes disease as part of the global effort to improve understanding and treatment of the condition, with the goal of providing our patients with the most innovative treatment available today.