Physical therapy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: case report

Abstract

A patient with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD), submitted to physical therapy, was studied prospectively in order to assess the benefits of the treatment proposed, by means of physical and radiographic evaluation. The patient was submitted to a first evaluation before treatment, then after the treatment, and a third one a year after the treatment was completed. Physical examination of global hip movements was done by means of goniometric evaluation and comparative strength muscle evaluation. At the radiographic examination, the patient was initially classified as Catterall type III, Salter-Thompson type A and Herring type B. In order to group the results, Mose classification was used. The treatment lasted 12 weeks, totalling 20 sessions of stretching, strength and proprioceptive exercises. At the final evaluation, an increase was observed in hip range of motion and muscle strength, as well as radiographic improvement of the patient's condition.