Posted by Judy Bruce on March 16, 2004 at 12:24:10:
My daughter Emily was diagnosed two weeks ago with Perthes. We have been to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md to see Dr Paul Sponseller and to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC to see Dr. John Dalahay. They are both suppose to be excellent. However, we got two different approaches to her care. The first was to have a surgery to release the tendon and clean out the joint and have a Petrie cast for 2 weeks. After two weeks she would have the pelvic tenotomy and be in a cast for 6-8 weeks. The other doctor suggested no surgery and thinks we should try drugs and range of motion exercises. If this is not affective then he suggests releasing the tendon and then if he still needs it to have the "shelf" placed. I'm so confused because now I have gotten completely different opinions. We are going to go for a third next week, but I would liove advice if anyone has any for me. Emily is in pain everyday and walks with a limp. She was doing gymnastics 3 times a week but we have stopped that for about 2 weeks. She seems to be pretty advanced with her Perthes and has very limited ot almost no movement in her right hip. Any thoughs I would love othear for you. Thanks...Judy