Perthes Disease Surgery

Perthes disease, also known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, or coxa plana, is a hip disorder that disrupts the blood supply to the femoral head, the ball-like part of the hip joint. This interruption in circulation causes the bone to undergo necrosis (die) and become weak.

Perthes is often misunderstood as a single disease, but it is actually a complex, multi-stage process that unfolds over several years. Initially, the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, causing the bone to weaken and eventually collapse. As time passes, the body restores the blood flow to the femoral head, which allows the bone to begin healing and regrow. However, this recovery is not immediate and can take several years to complete, with the bone slowly regaining its structure and strength. The condition’s stages can vary, making it a prolonged and sometimes unpredictable journey for affected children.

Perthes disease progresses through four key stages, each crucial to understanding the condition’s impact on the hip joint. The first stage, necrosis, sees the interruption of blood flow to the femoral head, leading to bone cell death. This stage can be painful, and symptoms such as limping and altered walking patterns emerge. It can last for several months and often presents with significant inflammation. The second stage is fragmentation where the body replaces dead bone with softer, weaker bone, and the femoral head may flatten. In the third stage, reossification, new, stronger bone develops in the femoral head, often lasting the longest. Lastly, the bone regrows, and the femoral head assumes its final shape, which depends on the extent of damage and the child’s age.

Children with perthes disease typically develop a noticeable limp due to the pain and stiffness in the hip joint. The pain, which can occur in the groin, thigh, or knee, is often mild but becomes more intense with physical activity. Perthes disease can lead to shortening of the affected leg, causing uneven leg length. This condition most commonly affects children between 3 and 11 years.

Surgery may be necessary for perthes disease, especially when non-operative treatments, such as physical therapy or casts/braces, aren’t sufficient. The goal of treatment for Perthes is to help the femoral head regrow into a rounded shape that fits the acetabulum, ensuring normal hip movement. Surgery may be required to reshape the bone in the hip socket, osteotomy, or reshape the hip socket through arthroplasty.

Candidates for Perthes disease surgery are generally children over the age of 6 who have advanced stages of the disease, severe collapse or deformity of the femoral head, or limited hip movement. Surgery is also considered for those whose femoral head is not well-contained within the hip socket despite nonoperative treatments.

Pediatric scoliosis surgery usually involves spinal fusion, where the curved sections of the spine are straightened using rods, screws, and sometimes bone grafts. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia. In some cases, regional anaesthesia may be used in combination to target specific areas, helping with post-operative pain control. Scoliosis surgery takes 4 to 6 hours to complete.

• Keep the surgical site clean and dry; follow your doctor’s guidelines for dressing changes.
• Regular monitoring by the doctor through physical examinations and X-rays ensures that the condition is progressing in the right direction.
• Pain medication is often necessary to alleviate discomfort.
• Anti-inflammatory medications may be used post-surgery to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
• Physiotherapy plays a critical role in keeping the hip joint mobile and strengthening the surrounding muscles.
• Short-term bed rest and the use of crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs may be necessary for rest and to relieve pain.
• High-impact activities, like running or jumping, are typically restricted for several months post-surgery to protect the healing femoral head.
• Prospero Medical provides consistent follow-up care for up to 6 months to 1 year after surgery to monitor patients’ recovery progress. We encourage patients to report any post-operative issues directly to our clinic immediately. This approach ensures timely intervention and prevents complications from third-party consultations without our oversight.

• Most children recover from Perthes disease, but bone regrowth can take over 18-24 months or longer, depending on the child’s age and stage of the disease.
• High-impact activities should be avoided, and a brace, splint, or plaster may be used to support the hip.
• Children can return to non-physical activities, like school, soon after surgery but must avoid strenuous play.

Turkey is renowned for its excellence in various medical disciplines, making it a sought-after destination for perthes disease surgical treatment. Many patients find the benefits here outweigh those of private treatment in their home countries, these include:

• Patients gain access to exceptional medical expertise backed by a well-established academic foundation.
• World-class private hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology.
• The personalized aftercare services, enriched by Turkey’s warm hospitality, ensure comfort and thorough post-operative support.
• Competitive pricing adds to the appeal, providing high value for money.
• The country offers an ideal recovery setting, where orthopedic treatment can be seamlessly integrated with physiotherapy sessions to accelerate healing, making Turkey a preferred destination for medical travel.

Choosing the right clinic for surgery is often complicated by the abundance of commercial advertisements and social media promotions that can make it difficult to distinguish between what’s genuine and what’s commercial. To make a well-informed decision, focus on these key criteria:

• Ensure the clinic offers truthful and unbiased medical advice that isn’t influenced by commercial interests.
• Assess the clinic’s commitment to establishing a meaningful rapport with patients, empathizing with their concerns, and managing their expectations effectively.
• Make sure the clinic places the utmost importance on the safety, well-being, and overall care of the patient, ensuring they receive the highest standard of service.

To accurately estimate the price of treatment, it’s essential to carefully review several important factors:

• The professional standing of the clinic plays a significant role in determining treatment costs.
• The credentials of the surgeon, along with the overall quality of after-care services.
• The nature and complexity of the procedure. Procedures that require advanced techniques or specialized care may be priced higher.
• It’s important to review the clinic’s terms and conditions carefully, ensuring clinical liabilities are clearly defined in a fair and transparent manner, all in accordance with appropriate legislative guidelines.

The cost of perthes disease repair in Turkey varies based on several factors, including clinic quality, procedure complexity, and surgeon credentials. While price can be a major reason for traveling abroad, choosing a clinic solely based on price without evaluating its ability to meet core quality standards can result in costly long-term issues. At Prospero Medical, we follow a transparent pricing policy, clearly outlining each service component. Our goal is to offer a pricing guideline that reflects the level of medical expertise, surgeon credentials, and after-care services, ensuring patients make informed decisions without compromising on quality.