Hip deformities that persist into adulthood following childhood Perthes disease, causing impingement, instability or early arthritis. Requires assessment by a surgeon with experience in both paediatric and adult hip pathology.
(03) 9573 9659
Adult residual Perthes refers to the hip deformities that persist into adulthood following childhood Perthes disease. These deformities can cause impingement, instability, labral pathology and early-onset osteoarthritis, and they are best managed by a surgeon with training and experience in both paediatric and adult hip pathology.
Perthes disease is a childhood condition in which the blood supply to the femoral head is temporarily disrupted, causing the bone to soften, partially collapse and then reform over a period of years. In many patients the hip heals with a good result. In others, the femoral head does not reform into a normal round shape, leaving a residual deformity that persists into adulthood.
Residual deformities from Perthes disease include an enlarged or flattened femoral head, a short femoral neck and a widened acetabulum. These changes alter the mechanics of the hip and can cause impingement between the abnormal femoral head and the rim of the socket, instability due to poor containment, labral tears and progressive cartilage damage.
Adults with residual Perthes deformity typically present with hip pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion. Symptoms may begin in adolescence or early adulthood. The severity depends on the degree of deformity and the extent of any associated cartilage damage at the time of presentation.
Mr Balakumar assesses each patient individually, using X-rays, CT and MRI to define the specific anatomy and identify associated joint damage. Treatment depends on the deformity and cartilage condition, and may include hip arthroscopy to address impingement and labral pathology, osteotomy to correct significant deformity, or in cases of advanced arthritis, hip replacement.
Having trained in the full spectrum of paediatric and adult hip surgery, Mr Balakumar is well placed to manage Perthes-related hip pathology at any stage of life and to provide continuity of care as a patient’s needs evolve.
(03) 9573 9659
Mr Balakumar is one of a small number of surgeons in Australia with formal training in both paediatric and adult hip surgery. His fellowship at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital in Boston, under some of the world’s leading specialists in hip preservation, gives him a depth of expertise that is difficult to find in a single practice.
His approach is the same whether the patient is 6 months or 65 years old – thorough assessment, honest options, and no pressure toward surgery until the clinical picture clearly supports it.
(03) 9573 9659
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Abnormal movement at the joints of the pelvis causing pain and difficulty with weight-bearing activities. Assessment includes evaluation of the hip, pelvis and lumbar spine together.
Hip and groin injuries in athletes range from labral tears and adductor strains through to stress fractures. Accurate diagnosis is essential as many conditions in this region can mimic each other.
Progressive loss of cartilage within the hip joint causing pain, stiffness and reduced function. At least 80 per cent of hip osteoarthritis has a structural cause that can be identified and, in suitable patients, addressed.
Melbourne Orthopaedic Group is home to a team of experienced orthopaedic surgeons, providing comprehensive care for sports injuries and orthopaedic conditions. Whether it’s joint replacement or sports injuries, our specialists provide comprehensive orthopaedic care.
