Legg-Calve-Perthes disease refers to avascular necrosis of the femoral head in which patients?

• A. Children
• B. Elderly
• C. Adolescents
• D. Infants

Answer: (A)

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head that occurs in skeletally immature children. The problem arises from a temporary disruption of the blood supply to the developing femoral head, leading to osteonecrosis, followed by a period of revascularization and remodeling as the child grows. Because it targets the growing hip, the typical patients are children, usually around ages 4 to 10. In contrast, avascular necrosis in adults is usually due to other risk factors (like long-term steroid use or alcohol, trauma, etc.), and infants have different hip conditions such as congenital dislocations or infections. So the defining population for this disease is children.