title: Outcome after conservative treatment of Perthes' disease in children.
abstract: Background. This article presents outcomes after conservative treatment of Perthes' disease according to Staheli's algorithm. Material and methods. We analyzed 38 children (30 boys and 8 girls), ranging in age from 2.5 to 10 years, who were treated in the period 1995-2003 using a homogeneous conservative method. Treatment consisted in the application of exercises to increase or maintain a full range of movement, swimming pool exercises, load release on the limb (crutches), and indirect traction. Clinical and radiological examinations were used to assess the outcome, and the results of this method were compared to the outcomes described in the literature. Results. In all subjects, after an average 3.8-year observation period, we observed reconstruction of the femoral head and a good functional outcome, regardless of age. Conclusions. Treatment of Perthes' disease by using crutches to relieve limb load, and by applying kinesitherapy and traction, allows for good results, comparable to those achieved with other conservative methods. The most decisive factors for treatment outcome are the child's age at onset and the degree of advancement of the changes.
authors.affiliation: Oddział Ortopedyczno-Urazowy, Uniwersytecki Szpital Dzieciecy, CM UJ, Kraków.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Radło
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sułko
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kotulski