Legg-Perthes
Three Overcomers
by
Carol Osborn Table of Contents
What is Legg-Perthes? …………………………..
Jimmy ……………………………………………
Jonathan …………………………………………
Cody ……………………………………………. What is Legg-Perthes?
Legg-Perthes disease is a childhood condition that affects the hip where the thighbone (femur) and pelvis meet in a ball and socket joint. Sometimes it is called Legg-Calve-Perthes, pronounced LEGG-kahl-VAY-PER-theez. It occurs when the blood supply to the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint is interrupted. Without enough blood flow the bone begins to die, it breaks more easily, and heals poorly. Legg-Perthes usually occurs between the ages of four and eight, but can happen at nearly any age. It is up to five times more common in boys than in girls. The older the child when the disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that the child will develop hip problems later in life.
Surgery may be required. The younger the child when diagnosed, the better the chances for the hip joint healing in a normal, …show more content…
He’s been working in retail for 16 years in Walmart’s automotive department. He is planning to have synthetic hip replacement surgery in the near future. Years ago it was recommended to postpone this type of surgery as long as possible for young people because the replacement parts would be expected to wear out in about ten years, requiring more surgeries later, but today’s artificial parts are made with newer materials with longer life expectancies. Jonathan is now 42 years old and has recently had an artificial hip replacement. The surgery usually takes about an hour and a half; his took three hours because there was so much damage to clean up. Due to skilled physicians and modern pain management procedures, he’s done extremely well, is healing fast, and expects to return to work soon. He uses a cane temporarily, goes to physical therapy, and drives as needed. Don't you just love happy endings? And happy new beginnings?
Three Overcomers
by
Carol Osborn Table of Contents
What is Legg-Perthes? …………………………..
Jimmy ……………………………………………
Jonathan …………………………………………
Cody ……………………………………………. What is Legg-Perthes?
Legg-Perthes disease is a childhood condition that affects the hip where the thighbone (femur) and pelvis meet in a ball and socket joint. Sometimes it is called Legg-Calve-Perthes, pronounced LEGG-kahl-VAY-PER-theez. It occurs when the blood supply to the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint is interrupted. Without enough blood flow the bone begins to die, it breaks more easily, and heals poorly. Legg-Perthes usually occurs between the ages of four and eight, but can happen at nearly any age. It is up to five times more common in boys than in girls. The older the child when the disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that the child will develop hip problems later in life.
Surgery may be required. The younger the child when diagnosed, the better the chances for the hip joint healing in a normal, …show more content…
He’s been working in retail for 16 years in Walmart’s automotive department. He is planning to have synthetic hip replacement surgery in the near future. Years ago it was recommended to postpone this type of surgery as long as possible for young people because the replacement parts would be expected to wear out in about ten years, requiring more surgeries later, but today’s artificial parts are made with newer materials with longer life expectancies. Jonathan is now 42 years old and has recently had an artificial hip replacement. The surgery usually takes about an hour and a half; his took three hours because there was so much damage to clean up. Due to skilled physicians and modern pain management procedures, he’s done extremely well, is healing fast, and expects to return to work soon. He uses a cane temporarily, goes to physical therapy, and drives as needed. Don't you just love happy endings? And happy new beginnings?