Improving treatment for a childhood hip condition

Immunomodulation of juvenile femoral head osteonecrosis

NIH-funded research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11057523

This study is looking at how the immune system affects hip problems in kids with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and it aims to find new ways to help heal their hips and improve their recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUt Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-11057523 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a serious condition affecting the hip in children aged 2 to 14, which can lead to debilitating osteoarthritis. The study investigates how the immune response, particularly involving macrophages, contributes to the damage in the femoral head due to a lack of blood flow. By using innovative tissue engineering techniques, the researchers aim to transform the harmful inflammatory environment into one that promotes healing and bone regeneration. This approach seeks to address the underlying issues that current treatments do not resolve, potentially leading to better outcomes for affected children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 2 to 14 diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 2 to 14 or those with other unrelated hip conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve healing and reduce the risk of long-term complications for children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using tissue engineering to address inflammatory responses in bone repair is innovative, similar strategies have shown promise in other areas of regenerative medicine.

Where this research is happening

Dallas, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.