Medical Term

Perthes' disease

a hip condition in children between the ages of four and ten, which is self-healing. Because of OSTEOCHONDROSIS of the EPIPHYSIS of the FEMUR , a limp is developed with associated pain. Rest is essential, as is TRACTION , until the pain subsides, and then a special SPLINT is fitted to permit walking until the condition is fully healed.

Source: mediLexicon corpus · slug perthes-disease