Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease synonyms

TL;DR: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is most commonly known as Perthes disease or coxa plana, and it refers to the idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head in children. While historical literature may use various eponymous terms, "Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease" is the standard clinical name used globally in modern medical practice.

What are the common synonyms and historical names for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease?

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease has been known by several names over the last century, largely due to the independent discovery of the condition by three physicians in 1910. The most frequently used synonyms include Perthes disease, coxa plana, and osteochondritis deformans juvenilis. Historically, you may encounter the condition referred to as Legg-Calvé-Waldenström disease in older European texts. These names were often used interchangeably before the medical community reached a consensus on the eponymous designation that honors Arthur Legg, Jacques Calvé, and Georg Perthes.

How is Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease classified in medical systems?

In formal medical coding and international databases, the condition is categorized to ensure consistency across healthcare providers and researchers. The following classification systems provide the standard framework for identifying Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease:

• ICD-10-CM: Classified under M91.1 (Juvenile osteochondrosis of head of femur).


• Orphanet: Listed under ORPHA:71286, defined as a rare pediatric orthopedic disorder.


• OMIM: Documented under #150600, which tracks the genetic and clinical characteristics of the condition.


• SNOMED CT: Recognizes the entity as "Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease" for electronic health record interoperability.

Why does Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease have so many names?

The variety of names for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease stems from its simultaneous discovery in 1910 by Arthur Legg in the United States, Jacques Calvé in France, and Georg Perthes in Germany. Each physician independently described the same clinical phenomenon—the temporary disruption of blood supply to the femoral head in children. Because of this, early 20th-century literature often attributed the disease to different combinations of these names depending on the author's geographic region. Today, the medical community prefers the full eponymous title, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, or the shortened "Perthes disease" for clinical shorthand.

How does the DiseaseMaps community use these terms?

At DiseaseMaps.org, we have observed that 227 members currently navigating their journey with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease often use a mix of these terms when sharing their stories. Understanding that "Perthes disease" and "coxa plana" refer to the same condition can help patients feel more confident when conducting literature searches or speaking with pediatric orthopedists. Recognizing these synonyms is essential for patients to access the full breadth of research and support available globally.

Next steps

• Consult a pediatric orthopedic specialist if you suspect symptoms of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, such as a persistent limp or hip/knee pain.


• Use the term "Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease" when searching clinical databases like PubMed to ensure you capture all relevant, peer-reviewed research.


• Join the DiseaseMaps.org community to connect with other families who have experience with the diagnosis and management of the condition.


• Request a clear explanation of your child’s imaging reports to see if the radiologist uses "coxa plana" or "avascular necrosis of the femoral head" to describe the findings.

Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

References

• NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD): rarediseases.info.nih.gov


• Orphanet (The portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs): orpha.net


• Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM): omim.org


• International Perthes Study Group: perthesstudygroup.org