Incidence of Legg–Perthes Disease (Osteochondritis Deformans)

LEGG–PERTHES disease (osteochondritis deformans) is a condition that has received much clinical but little epidemiologic attention. As one of the first requirements for epidemiologic investigation, we have attempted to estimate incidence and attack rates in a defined population.MethodCase FindingThe objective was to identify all children resident in Massachusetts in whom the diagnosis of Legg–Perthes disease was made for the first time during 1964. Three sources were used:Mail questionnaires were sent to the 208 physicians listed in the 1963 edition of the Directory of the American Medical Association as engaged in the practice of orthopedic surgery in . . .