A Prospective Nationwide Study of Perthes' Disease in Norway: Functional and Radiographic Outcomes at a Mean Follow-up of Twenty Years

Calvé-Legg-Perthes disease (CLP) is a hip disease in children whose femoral head becomes completely or partially necrotic. The disease is most common in five-six years of age. The femoral head is gradually deformed during the active stages of the disease (5-7 years). By healing, the hip joint shape will vary from an approximately normal joint to pronounced changes, the hip joint will be irregular. Such a hip joint is available for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to map the function of the hip, the patient's quality of life and especially the risk factors that affect the outcome of the previous CLP. A nationwide prospective study of CLP was conducted between 1996 and 2000. All children with newly diagnosed Perthes disease (425) were registered. The current study will follow up all these patients with an average follow-up of 20 years. Radiological endpoints are evidence of hip osteoarthritis. Patient-reported outcomes (PROMS) should illuminate the function of the hip and quality of life.