Posted by Tim on October 10, 2003 at 10:09:36:
In Reply to: Full Recovery using brace posted by Brent Hextell on October 10, 2003 at 09:39:09:
I believe that the weight bearing flattens or destroys the hip ball. If Perthes is diagnosed early and prior to such damage, people should definitely go the brace/sling method before allowing a surgeon to cut on their child. I know that sometimes this cannot be helped, but I see several instances where the "wait and see" method is used to the point that the child is in extreme pain, leading to damage and thus surgery. This is a controversial issue, and I believe one big factor is the dollars associated with surgery as compared to the price of a fabric sling and crutches or even a brace. Again, we are all different, but in the cases I have seen using the braces/slings, many fewer surgeries were required. RESEARCH is the number one priority!
Tim