Left Hip Perthes Disease: What You Should Know

The femoral head is the rounded top of the thigh bone that sits in the hip socket. During Perthes disease, weakened bone can flatten or become less smoothly covered by the socket while the hip heals. Children may limp, avoid running, or report pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee. Stiffness and reduced ability to move the leg out to the side are useful clues. The left side being affected does not determine how the condition will progress; regular orthopaedic reviews track shape, motion, and growth.

The aim of care is to keep the femoral head moving as well as possible within the socket while healing occurs. Treatment depends on age, hip movement, the shape of the joint, and symptoms.

Follow the activity limits given by the child’s orthopaedic team. Low-impact movement may be allowed, while running, jumping, and contact play may need to pause during painful or vulnerable phases. Paediatric Physiotherapy can preserve comfortable range of motion, build suitable strength, and help families adapt daily activities. Use prescribed supports or crutches correctly. Osteotomy may be discussed when surgery is needed to improve how the joint is contained; it is a specialist decision, not a home treatment. Keep scheduled imaging and review appointments even when pain improves.

Contact the treating team if limping increases, hip movement becomes more restricted, pain returns after activity, or the child stops joining normal play. Seek urgent assessment after a fall with severe pain or inability to bear weight. Fever, a hot swollen joint, sudden marked pain, or a child who appears unwell needs prompt medical attention because these features can have causes other than Perthes disease.

Which activities are safe during this phase? How much hip movement should we practise at home? What changes on the next scan would alter treatment? When can school sport resume? Should a physiotherapist review walking, sitting, or stair use?