FROM EXPERIENCE TO SERVICE
When Garrett was 3 years old, he was diagnosed with Legg-Calve Perthes disease. This disease rendered him immobile for many periods throughout his childhood, causing him to miss out on countless experiences. Garrett was bound to Petrie casts and wheelchairs and was forced to watch his friends play his favorite sports and games from the sidelines. Despite these set backs, Garrett persevered and used his experiences to fuel his passion for medicine and helping others. His goal has always been to become a doctor and to help children facing similar situations that he went through, which is why we created Pants for a Purpose.
WHAT IS LEGG-CALVE PERTHES DISEASE?
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease (also known as Perthes disease) is a rare hip condition that affects roughly 1 in 10,000 children between the ages of 2-12. It occurs when the head of the femur temporarily loses blood supply, causing it to die. Eventually, the blood supply returns and the hip begins to regrow and repair the damage. However, the hip does not always grow back normally, which can cause long-term challenges.
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Legg-Calve Perthes Disease causes stiffness, pain, and limping in the affected child and often requires surgical interventions to correct. One of the most common procedures is to apply a Petrie cast which goes from the top of the thigh down to the ankle on both legs with a bar in the middle, forming an “A” shape with the legs. This cast allows the head of the femur to be placed in an appropriate position to heal and regrow into its proper round shape.
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Children are typically confined to these Petrie casts for 6-8 weeks at a time and often require more than one cast during childhood. Due to the bar in the middle, clothing can be an obstacle. The only options available are to wear a diaper or an oversized t-shirt over the legs. This is not an ideal situation, especially for children in social settings, which is why we created Pants for a Purpose. This concept came from Garrett’s grandmother who sewed snaps along the inseams of his pants so that they could fit around the cast. Our pants allow kids to be more comfortable and confident while recovering.