Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is idiopathic avascular necrosis of which structure?

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is idiopathic avascular necrosis of which structure?

• A. Acetabulum
• B. Tibial plateau
• C. Femoral head
• D. Femoral neck

Answer: (C)

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease involves idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In children, disruption of the blood supply to the proximal femoral epiphysis leads to bone death and gradual deformation of the femoral head as it heals, which affects how the hip joint congrues and moves. The acetabulum is the socket of the hip, not the site of necrosis; the tibial plateau is in the knee; and the femoral neck is not the primary location of the osteonecrosis in this condition. So the structure affected is the femoral head.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease involves idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In children, disruption of the blood supply to the proximal femoral epiphysis leads to bone death and gradual deformation of the femoral head as it heals, which affects how the hip joint congrues and moves. The acetabulum is the socket of the hip, not the site of necrosis; the tibial plateau is in the knee; and the femoral neck is not the primary location of the osteonecrosis in this condition. So the structure affected is the femoral head.