How effective is paediatric physiotherapy for Perthes disease?

Perthes disease affects the developing ball of the hip joint. The care plan depends on the child’s age, hip movement and the stage of the condition. Physiotherapy is supportive: it aims to maintain safe range of movement, reduce stiffness and help your child manage everyday tasks.

A physiotherapist may teach gentle hip exercises, positioning, walking strategies and ways to reduce loading when advised by the orthopaedic team. Exercises should remain within the limits set for your child; forceful stretching or impact activity may be unsuitable at some stages.

Attend the planned orthopaedic and physiotherapy reviews, even when symptoms seem mild. Practise only the recommended movements and use the advised walking aid or activity restriction correctly. Tell the team about changes in walking, pain, stiffness, school participation or sleep.

Ask school and sports staff to follow the activity plan. Swimming or other low-impact movement may be appropriate for some children, but the treating team should confirm what fits the current hip plan.

Contact the clinical team promptly if your child develops increasing pain, a marked change in walking, new difficulty moving the hip, or trouble using a prescribed aid. Seek urgent assessment after a fall with severe pain, inability to bear weight, or a suddenly swollen or hot joint.

Ask which hip movements are priorities, which activities are restricted, how much weight your child may put through the leg, and how progress will be checked between appointments.