We compared the late radiographic results of femoral head coverage in two u
nselected groups of patients with Perthes' disease, one treated conservativ
ely and one with surgical containment. Forty-eight hips were treated surgic
ally and 28 hips were managed conservatively. The preoperative radiographs
were classified using both the Salter and Herring classifications. We found
no significant difference in femoral head coverage between the groups. How
ever, there was a trend towards a better femoral head coverage following su
rgical containment of Salter type B and Herring type II and III hips. The a
uthors conclude that surgical containment may offer a better prognosis for
patients with the more severely affected hips.