Perthes' disease. The family tree

Abstract

The discovery and use of roentgenograms by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895 was one of the most important turning points in the history of orthopedics. Within only a few years, immense advances were made in the recognition and definition of bone and joint disorders that, until then, had been thought to be different or unusual forms of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Perthes' disease has become one of the Lieblingsthema of orthopedics. The study of the history of Perthes' disease is fascinating: the sources of many "original" thoughts can be traced back across the world, through the years. This review begins with the 19th century, traces the emergence of the definition of Perthes' disease and some related conditions, and follows the story of the disease in the first decade of its history as a separate entity.