RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is an important cause of limping and/or hip pain in preadolescent children. OBJECTIVE: Pathogenesis and epidemiology of LCPD, classification of disease stages, quantitative femoral head involvement and prognosis based on Xray images and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Summary and discussion of the basic research and recommendations. RESULTS: Boys between 3 and 10 years of age are mostly affected. The etiology of the femoral head ischemia is still unknown. Commonly used classifications are the stages of disease according to Waldenström and the extent of the femoral head involvement according to Catterall. Head at risk signs are used for early prognosis, and after completion of growth Stulberg's end stages are applied for long-term prognosis. CONCLUSION: Based on Xray images and MRI, different classifications can be used for an assessment of progression and prognosis of LCPD. This systematic approach is essential to identify cases that require surgical treatment and to avoid complications such as early onset osteoarthritis of the hip.