Initially pain free, this condition often presents as a limp after activity. The limp usually worsens, and eventually the patient may complain of pain in the hip, groin, inner thigh, or occasionally the knee. Muscle spasm and synovitis can limit motion, particularly abduction and internal rotation. Invasion by connective tissues leads to resorption and replacement by new immature bone. This may result in weakening of subchondral support.
Repair occurs when new, normal bone replaces dead bone.
We confirmed our diagnosis with a bone scan, which is highly accurate once symptoms have presented. Several other hip disorders resemble LCP disease. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. SCFE is the most common nontraumatic hip problem in adolescents, and its presentation is similar to that of LCP disease. In SCFE, the epiphyseal plate weakens during rapid growth.