Common hip concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
A childhood disorder of the hip
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a childhood hip disorder where temporary loss of blood supply to the femoral head causes the ball of the hip to soften and reshape during a vulnerable growth window. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is one of many hip conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Perthes disease heals over time as blood supply returns. Treatment keeps the hip moving and the ball of the joint round, and ranges from observation to surgery.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is Legg-Calve-Perthes disease?
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a childhood hip disorder where temporary loss of blood supply to the femoral head causes the ball of the hip to soften and reshape during a vulnerable growth window. Symptoms usually come on gradually, often starting with a limp, so early evaluation matters.
Perthes disease runs its course over a few years as blood supply returns to the ball of the hip. Treatment aims to keep the hip moving well and the ball round while it heals. Younger children with mild disease are often managed with observation, activity limits, and physical therapy. Older children or more severe cases may need a cast, a brace, or surgery to keep the ball seated in the socket.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD)
This disease most commonly affects children between the ages of four and eight. It involves the head of the femur. That's the bony ball that goes into the hip socket. With this disease, the bone of the femur's head begins to die.
Inside the hip.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint built for both stability and a wide range of motion. The ball (femoral head) sits inside the socket (acetabulum) and is cushioned by smooth cartilage. The labrum, a rim of cartilage around the socket, adds depth and a seal. Most hip pain comes from wear of that cartilage, labral injury, or bony impingement between the ball and socket.
Symptoms and causes of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Common symptoms
- Limp, often the first sign
- Hip, thigh, or knee pain
- Limited hip range of motion
- Stiffness after rest
Common causes
- Most common in boys 4 to 10
- Cause is not fully understood
- Genetic factors may play a role
- Not caused by injury
How we diagnose Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the hip: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat Legg-Calve-Perthes disease at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Observation with regular X-rays
- Activity limits during painful periods (less running and jumping)
- Physical therapy to keep the hip moving
- Anti-inflammatory medication for pain
- Casting or bracing in select cases
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Femoral or pelvic osteotomy to keep the ball seated in the socket
- Tendon release for a stiff hip in select cases
- Treatment of hip problems that show up later in life
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Hip care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our hip specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a hip specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a hip specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the hip that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your hip recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the hip, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the hip.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Hip considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the hip. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our hip doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our hip specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your hip specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Erik Dworsky, MD
Hip & Knee Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Santa Fe Springs
Accepting new patients
David Barba, MD
Hip & Knee Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Wilshire
- East Los Angeles
Care for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease starts here
Don't let Legg-Calve-Perthes disease be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether your child needs observation, physical therapy, bracing, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a hip specialist in Los Angeles.
Common Legg-Calve-Perthes questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a hip specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network