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Patient Story of: Demetrice Mills III

New York, NY

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

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Together, Dr. Sink and Raine have made this overwhelming experience much more manageable.

Demetrice Mills III

More Than a Diagnosis: Dimy's Journey with Perthes Disesase:

At five years old, Demetrice “Dimy” Mills III is a curious, imaginative and resilient boy who loves dinosaurs, building with magnetic tiles, conducting experiments and exploring the world around him. Like most children his age, he wants to run, jump, play with his friends and simply be five.

In April 2026, our family’s world changed when Dimy was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a rare childhood hip condition we had barely heard of before it became part of our everyday lives. After noticing changes in his walking following what initially appeared to be a hip injury, I trusted my instincts as his mother and advocated for further evaluation and imaging. The diagnosis brought a wave of uncertainty and an entirely new medical vocabulary as we tried to understand what lay ahead for our son.

Perthes disease affects the blood supply to the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint), causing the bone to weaken and break down before gradually rebuilding. Dimy is currently in the fragmentation stage, during which protecting his hip is especially important to help preserve its shape and long-term function. His activity restrictions include no running, jumping, climbing or using stairs, along with limitations on prolonged walking, standing and other activities that place stress on his hip. He uses a wheelchair for longer distances and crutches at school.

One of the hardest parts of this journey is that Perthes disease can look different from day to day. Dimy may walk relatively comfortably one day and need significant mobility support the next. Watching our energetic boy step back from so many ordinary childhood activities has been heartbreaking.

Amid the uncertainty, the expertise and guidance of Dr. Ernest Sink and Raine Smith, PT, at HSS have made an enormous difference for our family.

When your child is diagnosed with a rare condition, the questions can feel endless: What is happening inside his hip? How do we protect it? What will recovery look like? How do we help him maintain his independence while respecting his limitations?

Dr. Sink’s knowledge and ability to help us understand Dimy’s condition have eased so much of our anxiety. Having a specialist who can explain what is happening, outline the risks and guide our decisions has brought clarity to an otherwise frightening and unpredictable experience. We are equally grateful for Raine, whose physical therapy expertise has helped us support Dimy’s mobility while protecting his hip. Her guidance has been invaluable as we navigate the practical challenges of his daily routine.

Together, Dr. Sink and Raine have made this overwhelming experience much more manageable. As parents, we cannot overstate the comfort that comes from knowing our child is supported by professionals we trust.

We are learning to take this journey one day at a time – advocating for Dimy while helping him remain the creative, curious and joyful child he has always been. Our experience has also inspired us to raise awareness of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and support other families who suddenly find themselves navigating an unfamiliar diagnosis. By sharing Dimy’s Back in the Game® story, we hope to help others feel less alone. Dimy is so much more than his diagnosis, and we are deeply grateful to Dr. Sink, Raine and the HSS team for helping our family move forward with understanding, reassurance and hope.