Nonsurgical treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

It was first postulated in the case Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease that nonweight bearing and prolonged immobilization were the most effective methods for prevention of the destructive changes in the hip joint. However, later developments adopted joint mobilization using ambulatory orthoses. The containment method altered the main concept of orthotic treatment, based on its better results than the conventional method. The surgical treatment also aims at a containment effect. The choice of either nonsurgical or surgical treatment is still difficult. It should be considered after comprehensively examining the patient in terms of the severity of disease, patient's and family's psychological outlook and the doctor's skill. Nonsurgical treatment will still be one of the options for selected patients.