According to a recent article, Canadian actor Cameron Mathison opened up about dealing with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease throughout his childhood.

Perthes Disease

Perthes disease is a condition that affects the hips of children. The blood supply is cut off from the ball of the hip joint, resulting in the death of the bones. The bone can break off and change shape, causing pain and stiffness. While the blood supply will be restored, permanent damage can still occur.

Symptoms:

• Limping
• Pain that can worsen with physical activity
• Limited range of motion in the hip
• Pain and stiffness in the hip and leg

This disease also results in a higher risk of arthritis in the hip in adulthood. Older children who are affected face a higher likelihood of hip issues later in life in comparison to younger children.

Treatments:

The treatment process for Perthes disease can take several years, as it consists of bone death, fracture, and renewal. For some, a specific leg cast can ensure that the hip heals correctly, and that is sufficient treatment. For others, surgery is needed to reform the ball of the hip socket. Other treatment options consist of physical therapy, crutches, restrictions in physical activity, and anti-inflammatory medications.

A Restricted Childhood

Mathison was only two years old when he was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. This diagnosis led him to have to wear restrictive leg braces 24/7 for four years in his childhood. On Instagram, he went so far as to include photos of him as a child wearing the braces. The purpose of these braces was to help his femur bones harden while also giving support to his body. Even after the braces were removed, he also underwent years of physical therapy.

The Instagram post resulted in a flood of positive comments, many of whom dealt with the rare disease themselves or knew someone close to them who did. A lot of users felt heard having a reputable actor share his story of overcoming adversity in order to spread awareness for the disease.