Back to:
Local pathways
  • Perthes Disease typically affects children aged 3-8 with boys more commonly affected.
  • It can present with a limp (sometimes painless) or with hip, groin, thigh or knee pain.
  • Examination may reveal stiffness (loss of internal rotation and abduction) and a positive Trendelenburg test or gait.
  • Cases of suspected Perthes Disease should ideally have an urgent x-ray in primary care prior to urgent referral however if this is normal, referral should still be made for assessment and consideration of MRI to detect early disease.

Editorial Information

Next review date: 03/07/2027