Radiographical and clinical results of a new conservative treatment algorithm in Legg-Calvè-Perthes disease: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish a feasible conservative treatment algorithm for Legg-Calvè-Perthes Disease (LCPD), clarify its limitations, and evaluate the correlations between radiographical and clinical results. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with LCPD and treated conservatively were evaluated retrospectively; 39 hips from 35 patients were included. The treatment protocol consisted of intermittent manual traction, range of motion exercises, activity limitation, bed rest, NSAID (ibuprofen 100mg/5mL), and ASA (100mg/day) during attack periods. The treatment protocol was standardized, and an algorithm was established for all the patients. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 13.7 (range = 8-22) years. According to the Stulberg classification, 26 (67%) hips were good, 6 (15,3%) were fair, and 7 (17%) were poor. No activity-limiting pain was detected in any patient. The mean Harris score was 90.5 ± 5.3 for Stulberg type 1, 2, and 3 hips, but 84.2 ± 8.8 for Stulberg type 4 and 5 hips. When the patients were evaluated in terms of pain, activity, and function, it was seen that pain and activity were not different, especially in the Stulberg 1, 2, 3, and 4 patients during the mid-term follow-up. The function was the main factor correlating with the Stulberg classification. Twenty-nine (82.8%) families defined the applicability of the treatment protocol as “easy,” 4 (10.3%) defined it as “moderate,” and 2 (6.2%) defined it as “difficult.” CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the treatment protocol was successful and easily applicable to LCPD. Although lateral pillar classification was efficient to predict radiographic results, the Stulberg classification was not correlated with the clinical results for every subgroup. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study