Legg-calvé-perthes disease in children with down syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the features of Perthes disease in patients with Down syndrome. Methods: The data of this retrospective case series were collected between 2000 and 2011. Patients were assessed according to demographic, clinical and radiographic classifications. Results: The study included 7 hips of 6 patients (5 males, 1 female). Mean age at first visit was 6.1 (range: 3.5 to 12.7) years and mean follow-up period was 52.3 (range: 30.2 to 90.8) months. Initial complaints were pain and limping with limited range of motion at the first visit. Range of motion tended toward early improvement despite continuous radiographic changes. One patient had late onset Perthes disease and developed rapid femoral head collapse managed with total hip arthroplasty. Conclusion: Perthes disease in children with Down syndrome must be followed despite clinical improvement. Radiographic characteristics of Perthes disease in patients with Down syndrome do not differ from those without it.