Prevalence of Legg-Calve-Perthes patients referred to affiliated rehabilitation centers of Red Crescent Organization in Isfahan

Introduction: Considered as a common childhood disease, Perthes disease is resulted from the necrosis of femoral head which in return is a consequence of impaired blood supply in this bone. Through the course of the disease, the replacement of bone tissue by recently formed necrotic tissue changes the shape of affected bone. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of causative factors involved in the occurrence of the disease.Materials and Methods: Patients referred to Red Crescent specialist clinics were retrospectively studied. Two questionnaire were used to obtain and document data considering medical, demographic and biographic status of participates and also to record such measurements as the degree of bone shortening in the affected bone. All data of interest were statistically analyzed using correlation test, frequency test and chi- square.Results: A total of 77 subjects with Perthes disease were admitted to aforementioned clinics during the time this study was in progress. Male-to-female ratio was 4 to1 and subjects had an age range of 1 to 13 years with the mean age of 7 years. 61% of subjects had concurrent pain and lameness, 29% of them had only lameness and remaining 10% of studied sample just reported pain. Left and right side of the body was equally affected and in 11% of studied population both legs were affected. Most participants were from urban areas than rural regions. Only 5% of subjects reported a familial history. The mean number of off spring was 3.Conclusion: The results of this study replicated those of other studies with regard to the male–female (%82 to 18%) ratio, type of involvement (left: %44, right: %43 and bilateral: %11), pain and lameness (%61), urban- to – rural ratio, amount of shortening (1/6 cm) and familial predisposition. It is worth mentioning that prevalence of the disease and urban life were significantly correlated with each other.Keywords: Legg-Calve-Perthes, Avascular necrosis, Osteoarthritis