Helping children with Osteochondritis, PERTHES ASSOCIATION is an entirely Voluntary Organisation, founded in Birmingham in 1976. It moved to Guildford in 1991 and became a National Charity.

The Association

Aims to help and advise families of children suffering from Perthes' disease and Associated conditions in all parts of the British Isles and overseas.

Perthes disease (a potentially crippling disease of the hip) is a form of osteochondritis, which affects 5.5 per 100,000 children (mainly boys) between the ages of 2 and 15 years.

What is Perthes Disease?

Perthes disease (also known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, or Calve Perthes disease, or avascular necrosis) is a child hood disorder which affects the head of the femur ( the ball of the ball and socket joint of the hip). In Perthes disease the blood supply to the growth plate of the bone at the end of the femur (called the epiphysis) becomes inadequate. As a result the bone softens and breaks down (a process called necrosis).

What do we do?

WE ARE A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION and support children who suffer from Perthes disease and Associated conditions. Fund raising events have enabled the association to buy such things as Major buggies, wheelchairs and moveable seats, which are loaned entirely free to members. They have also bought almost 100 hand propelled trikes which they loan to children in splints or plaster, to enable them to play with their friends.

Associated Conditions

• MULTIPLE EPIPHYSEAL DYSPLASIA
• A DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS TO PERTHES DISEASE

Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, usually simply called M.E.D. is an uncommon developmental condition. It was first described by Fairbanks in 1935 and is known to affect 11 persons per million. The multiple Epiphyseal dysplasias have been classified into a mild ribbing variety, in which stature is near normal and hip involvement is the major abnormality, and the more typical Fairbanks type (described by Fairbanks in 1947) which is more severe, often resulting in short stature with multiple Epiphyseal involvement.

Contacting Us

Write to us at:

P O BOX 773
Guildford GU1 1XN

If you would like to contact the Perthes Association, the recommended method is to use the Contact link at the foot of this page. Alternatively you can reach us via the Helpline on 01483 306637 or via email at help@perthes.org.uk

Please note

Perthes Association is for Perthes sufferers and their parents. It is not associated with any other group using a similar name. Perthes association literature is copyright and may be printed for your personal use, but should not be copied in whole or part for distribution without the consent of the Perthes association.