Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
long term
medium

Containment of the hip, sphericity of the femoral head, and congruence of the hip joint influence development of joint arthritis. Joint abnormalities stem from a combination of altered biomechanics and the initial vascular insult to the articular cartilage.

Osteoarthritis

long term
medium

Involvement of the proximal femoral epiphysis and damage to the blood supply of the proximal femoral growth plate may lead to its premature closure. This can lead to a modest shortening of the limb length on the affected side.

variable
high

The position that the hip is held in during the disease process determines the degree of stiffness and loss of hip rotation. Maintaining hip mobility throughout the disease process helps prevent this complication. Sectorial femoral head damage could contribute to the loss of rotation.

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