Perthes' disease after the age of twelve years - Role of the remaining growth

In order to define the prognostic factors in Perthes' disease in children o lder than 12 years, we reviewed 15 patients at the end of growth who were a ged 12.1 to 14 years at presentation. The patients with the worst long-term prognosis (Stulberg class V) were compared with the others for age, skelet al maturity and remaining growth (Oxford method), as well as Catterall and Waldenstrom classifications at presentation. A significant difference (p = 0.001) was found for remaining growth (25% in Stulberg class V and 35% in t he others) and also for the results at the end of growth when the remaining growth was over 30%, since this allowed sufficient time for reformation an d remodelling of the femoral head.