Latest study on Perthes disease by IPSG members from Mayo Clinic and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital found 7 of 9 female patients (78%) aged 10 years and older were involved in high-level competitive gymnastics when they presented with Perthes disease. The investigators suggest that further studies are needed to explore the association between the physical demands of advanced gymnastic training and the development of Perthes disease in this subset of patients. Please contact us if you have questions or have seen this in your practice.

Reference: Larson AN, Kim HK, Herring JA. Female Patients With Late-Onset Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease Are Frequently Gymnasts: Is There a Mechanical Etiology for This Subset of Patients? J Pediatr Orthop. 2013 Sep 21. PMID: 24065070