For the last two and half years orthopaedic surgeon, David Kieser, has been working on a treatment that could prevent the progression of Perthes disease - a condition diagnosed in young children, affecting the blood supply to the hip joint and impacting on movement, causing crippling pain.
The potential treatment involves an injection in the hip when first diagnosed, opening up the blood supply to the femoral head of the thigh bone and helping stop the disease from progressing. It's not a cure but if used in the initial stages it can prevent the eventual collapse of the bone.
After a successful pretrial model Kieser's team hopes to launch a clinical trial of his treatment protocol some time next year.
The New Zealand Herald writes about Kieser's research and the experiences of Caiti Brown, a young women living with Perthes.