Perthes disease has four stages. The first stage, also known as the onset or necrosis stage, begins when the child first begins to limp and complain of pain. From the initial stage, the disease progresses as the body attempts to remove the damaged bone in order to begin new bone growth. The Perthes stages include:

The uncertainty of Perthes continues to be an ongoing story. As new research is published, another piece of the puzzle becomes available to figure out the many facets to the disease. Recently, a research study conducted by IPSG members at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, doctors Kim and Herring, along with other researchers, showed