Complications

Children who have had Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are at higher risk of developing hip arthritis in adulthood — particularly if the hip joint heals in an abnormal shape. If the hipbones don't fit together well after healing, the joint can wear out early.

In general, children who are diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes after age 6 are more likely to develop hip problems later in life. The younger the child is at the time of diagnosis, the better the chances for the hip joint to heal in a normal, round shape.