Value of the Head-at-Risk Concept in Assessing the Prognosis in Legg-Calvé -Perthes Disease

Seventy-five hips affected by Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease were reviewed. Three therapeutic groups were definedconservative treatment, marrow emptying of the femoral neck, and varus derotation femoral osteotomy. Results were analyzed acording to head-ai-risk concept. Patients with head not at risk had better results regardless of treatment. Results in other groups were worse, but improved significantly with varus derotation femoral osteotomy. In children >9 years of age. the results were almost invariably poor, irrespective of headat- risk designation