NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Pathology
/
Lower Extremity Disorders
/
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (OLD VERSION)

Master Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (OLD VERSION) with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (OLD VERSION)

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Tibial Tubercle Apophysitis)
picmonic thumbnail
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
picmonic thumbnail
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)
picmonic thumbnail
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
picmonic thumbnail
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (OLD VERSION)

Leg-Cave-Perses
Picmonic

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease refers to the idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head.  It occurs most commonly in boys between the ages of four and ten. Symptoms are generally self-limited to less than 18 months, and involve a painless limp with decreased range of motion in the hip, intermittent anterior thigh pain, ipsilateral knee pain, and upper thigh atrophy.  X-rays are used for diagnosis and may show compression and deformity of the femoral head.  Treatment involves conservative measures such as limiting physical activity, NSAIDs, and bracing, as well as surgery in severe cases.

14 KEY FACTS
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Idiopathic Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head
Idiot-hat Vascular Necrosis-crow at Femoral Head

Legg-Calves-Perthes disease refers to idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head that results from decreased blood supply to the hip. Other causes of avascular necrosis include slipped capital femoral epiphysis, sickle cell crisis, steroid use or trauma.

Boys 4-10 Years of Age
Boy with (4) Fork and (10) Tin

LCPD most commonly presents in children between the ages of four and ten. It occurs more commonly in males.

Symptoms < 18 Months
Less-than-sign with (1) Wand and (8) Ball and Month-moon

Symptoms are self-limited and typically last for less than 18 months. Over this time, necrosed bone is remodeled with healthy bone and the blood supply returns.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Painless Limp
No Pain-bolt-sign Lamp

In most cases, painless limp is the presenting symptom for patients with LCPD. LCPD is the most common cause of limping in children four to ten years old.

Limited Range of Motion
Range of Motion Limited

Patients may experience decreased range of motion in the hip, especially with abduction and internal rotation, and pain with passive range of motion.

Intermittent Anterior Thigh Pain
In-mitten Anteater Thigh Pain-bolt

The onset of symptoms in LCPD is typically insidious. Many patients will not be able to recall an event that precipitated the pain. Patients may experience anterior thigh pain that is intermittent in nature.

Insidious Pain in Knee
Insidious Pain-bolt in Knee

Hip pain is often referred to the knee; therefore, patients may also present with an insidious onset of pain in the ipsilateral knee.

Atrophy of Upper Thigh
@-trophy on Upper Thigh

Because the blood supply to the hip is compromised in this condition, the muscles of the thigh may atrophy, as the cells cannot extract sufficient oxygen to generate ATP and produce essential cellular products.

DIAGNOSIS
AP and Frog Leg Lateral X-ray
AP and Frog Leg Lateral X-ray

Diagnosis and staging of LCPD involves anterior/posterior or frog leg lateral X-rays. In the early stage of LCPD, X-rays may demonstrate asymmetric femoral epiphyses. In the fragmentation stage, compression and deformity of the femoral head is visible. In the reparative stage, the femoral heads begin to re-ossify. In the final healing stage, X-ray findings vary based on severity of the disease.

Compression and Deformity of Femoral Head
Compressed & Deformed Femoral Head

In the fragmentation stage, compression and deformity of the femoral head is visible on X-rays. In the reparative stage, the femoral heads begin to re-ossify. In the final healing stage, X-ray findings vary based on severity of the disease.

TREATMENT
Bed Rest
Bed

Many patients are managed conservatively and are advised to avoid weight-bearing activities or use crutches. However, physical therapy exercises may be used to increase range of motion.

NSAIDs
N-sad

Anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, are recommended for control of pain and inflammation.

Containment with Brace or Cast
Cast

Hip bracing or casting in abduction with a Petrie cast may be used to contain the femur within the acetabulum if the patient is developing a severe deformity, has extensive disease or a decreased range of motion.

Surgery
Surgeon

Surgery is recommended for children above age eight, when greater than 50% of the femur is damaged, and when patients fail conservative therapy. An osteotomy, the most common type of corrective surgery for LCPD, helps to realign the femoral head within the acetabulum and increase range of motion.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Take the Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (OLD VERSION) Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,870,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.