Hip Pain / Perthes Disease

Hip pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. Perthes Disease is a condition that affects growing children, and is characterised by a temporary loss of blood supply to the hip. Without an adequate blood supply, the “ball” in the socket of the hip becomes inadequate and the bone gradually breaks down. Perthes Disease is usually seen in children between the ages of 4 and 10.

Symptoms Of Hip Pain / Perthes Disease

Children with this condition may show signs of limping and may complain of mild hip pain. Other symptoms may develop including decreased range of motion or stiffness in the hip joint. The child may have had these symptoms intermittently over a period of weeks or even months. Pain may be felt in other parts of the leg, such as the groin, thigh, or knee.

Pain may also be caused due to muscle spasm around the hip. Pain increases with movement and is relieved by rest. In time the affected leg may become thinner due to wasting of the thigh muscles as they are not being used as much as the other leg. The affected leg may also appear shorter and both hips may be affected but this is uncommon.

Treatment Of Hip Pain / Perthes Disease

Since a child with Perthes tends to walk with a limp, Physiotherapy is necessary to help restore hip and joint range as well as, helps to normalize gait to avoid secondary complications.

Our Physiotherapist will assist the child with gentle exercises to help with hip rotation and if necessary will encourage the child to walk with crutches at the beginning. After 18 months to 2 years of treatment, most children return to normal activities without major limitations.

Casting or bracing may be used to hold hips in an optimal position for healing and bone growth. This usually lasts four to six weeks and once removed exercises are reinstituted.

Our Expertise

Our Physiotherapists are highly trained and qualified to provide expert care to our patients. They are fully insured and are chartered by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP).

We have a team of Clinical leads who visits our Physiotherapists and clinics to ensure a level of customer service and quality care that exceeds our competition is given to patients every time.

Our Paediatric Physiotherapists have extensive experience in the management of a wide variety of paediatric conditions so you know that your child is in safe hands.