Clinical outcomes following containment procedures for patients with Legg-calvé-perthes disease.

Abstract

Objective: To assess short-term functional outcomes following surgical containment in children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) classified as Herring group B or C. Study Design: Prospective Observational study. Setting: Department of Orthopaedics & Spine Centre, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Period: August 01, 2024 to January 31, 2025. Methods: Fourteen children aged 4–10 years with LCPD (Herring B or C) underwent surgical containment. Patients with comorbidities affecting hip function were excluded. Functional status was evaluated using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) preoperatively and six weeks postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23, with significance set at p ≤ .05. Results: The mean HHS improved significantly from 35.5 ± 7.88 preoperatively to 89.0 ± 3.62 postoperatively (p < .05). Subgroup analysis by age, gender, laterality, and Stulberg classification showed no statistically significant differences; however, greater improvements were observed in unilateral cases and those with Stulberg grades IV–V. Conclusion: Surgical containment significantly improves short-term functional outcomes in children with moderate-to-severe LCPD. Although subgroup differences were not statistically significant, observed trends support better recovery in unilateral and radiologically severe cases. Larger multicenter studies with longer follow-up are recommended.