Legg calve perthes disease is considered a children's disease condition, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The condition is caused when the hip joint doesn't receive an adequate blood supply, which causes pain, irritation and inflammation in the hip joint. In most cases, legg calve perthes disease is diagnosed between 4 and 10 years of age, though children may enjoy a good prognosis and lifestyle activities following treatment and physical therapy. There are a few exercises you can do with your child to ease hip and leg pain, and help him recuperate faster and return to normal daily activities sooner.
Hip Rotation
Hip rotations help keep the muscles of the hip stretched and limber. Place your child on his back on the floor or on a bed, with his legs straight and in line with his hips. Gently grasp the ankle of one leg, and place your other hand on the knee. Slowly rotate the leg outward by rotating the foot and toes to the outside. You may be able to touch your child's toes near or on the floor, but don't force it. Hold for a few seconds and then rotate the foot inward. You won't be able to rotate the foot as far on the inward rotation as the outward rotation.
Hip Abduction
The hip abduction exercise helps restore flexibility. Place your child on the floor or a bed with her knees bent and feet placed flat on the floor. Her feet can be slightly apart, but no farther than hip distance apart. Place your hands on each of her knees and tell her to try to push her knees outward while you gently resist her efforts. You can also hold her knees slightly outward and tell her to try to touch her knees together.
Range of Motion
Range-of-motion exercises help promote circulation and function in the knee and ankle joints; they also help maintain circulation in the lower extremities. Have your child sit down on the floor with the bottoms of his feet touching, knees pressed outward, suggests PTClinic.com. Encourage your child to try to press his knees toward the floor while holding onto his feet with his hands. This is a slow stretch, so he should not bounce his knees or use his elbows to try to get his knees closer to the floor. This exercise should not cause pain. Have him repeat the stretch 3 to 5 times, holding the stretch for about 30 seconds each time.
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