Posted by SCOTT CRONIN on July 31, 2003 at 10:37:30:
In Reply to: 30 and trying to live with severe perthes posted by John on June 14, 2003 at 14:12:34:
: Iam 30 years old and have legg calve perthes. I was never properly diagnosed until i was almost 20 years old.I was not fortunate enough to go through any of the treatments or surgeries to correct the problem. I have always been very active with sports growing up, and when ever I had pain in either my hips or knee's everyone would tell me that I just pulled a muscle or tore something including Doctors(x-rays were never taken) When I was 20 the pain got extremely severe ,to the point as to where I couldn't be on my feet for any length of time,and sitting too long caused alot of stiffness.This is when Dr's had decided to do x-rays and tests and had discovered that my hip was detiorating rapidly.the ball was basically gone,no cartilage, just bone rubbing against bone.The options that were given to me, go in and try to reshape the top of the thigh bone place a metall ball over top and fuse my leg, plenty of pain medicine and stay off my feet as much as possible(this can't be right) I went to several Dr's and this is all that they could offer me.(one DR told me, he has never seen perthes this bad) that was very comforting (NOT!) Iam now 30 and still struggling with alot of pain. I did not have the fusion done,they told me it would be very difficult to undo the fusion if technology found a better way.It would be great to hear any suggestions or comments or any helpful links Thanks!!!!!!!