Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a bone disorder that affects the hips. People with this condition often have pain in the hip joint and restricted movement. Usually, the condition involves only the right hip or only the left hip, but 10 to 20 percent of affected individuals have signs and symptoms in both hips. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease begins in childhood, typically between 3 and 12 years of age. Boys are three to five times more likely than girls to be affected by Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

The exact cause of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is not known. Some researchers have suggested that the condition is multifactorial, which means it is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and metabolic factors. Joint stress, blood clotting abnormalities, malnutrition, obesity, and exposure to cigarette smoke may all contribute to the development of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

The number of people who receive a diagnosis of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease varies by geographic area and by population. As many as 29 in 100,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with this condition. This condition is most common among white people.

In most cases, the cause of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is not known. When the condition runs in families, it typically follows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.

Published Date: December 19, 2024
Published By: National Institutes of Health