Re: Advice and opinions on son's Plagio - Dr not concerned

May 7, 2009

I would recommend banding now given the photos you've posted. You have a good

chance of getting a lot of correction at this age. I don't think it will round

out enough with repo. As for his opinion to the insurance - he's no expert. I

would ask for a referral to a cranial facial plastic surgeon. That would be the

appropriate person to provide an opinion to the insurance provider.

-christine

sydney, 3 yrs, starband grad

>

> I am very concerned about my son's head. Our son, Maxson, was born at 34

weeks via C-section due to severe Pre-E. He is now 5 months old and we've voiced

our concerns about his head to his pediatrician, and though he agrees he has a

" moderate " case of positional Plagio (and I think some Brachy too) with " mild "

torticollis on the right side, he thinks it'll go back to being round with

positioning changes. I disagree. From all the research I've done in the last

few days, I think the Plagio/Brachy is too advanced and that he will need a

helmet. When I voiced these concerns to his Ped today, he said it's merely a

cosmetic issue and if we chose to go the helmet route, he would have to issue

his opinion to the insurance that it is merely a cosmetic issue alone and thus

insurance wouldn't cover it (United Healthcare).

>

> Please take a look at these 4 pictures I've taken of my son this afternoon and

please let me know what your honest opinions are. How would you classify this

case of Plagio? Mild, Moderate, Severe? The helmet will cost us $2520 out of

pocket initially and then it'll be up to us to fight the insurance on it (per

our Cranial Tech provider). We don't have $2520 laying around right now and

it'll be tough for us, but we also don't want our son to have a lifelong

deformity, so if it's needed, we'll finance it somehow.

>

> http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss34/angelaforry/?albumview=slideshow

>

> Thanks for your insight and opinions!!!

>

> Sincerely,

>

May 9, 2009

Sounds like its time to get a new pediatrician. Seriously. He is a dick and

not worth the money you or your insurance company is paying him.

Pardon my language.

Your sons head looks like it needs some help. I can see the plagio (because

that is what my son had) but I have a hard time seeing brachy in kids with

plagio too because my eyes just go right to the buldge. I would want it to get

corrected if it was my son, put it that way.

First of, yes most helmet places have payment plans if you pay out of pocket.

Second, your pediatrician is a dick and should not be making decisions for your

child in such an insulting way. I would go right the to helmet place in your

area (be it an rehabilitation hospital, Orthomerica or Cranial Tech what ever)

and ask for some information. See if you even need your primary doctors

referal. If you do, ask for a plagio friends pediatrician in your area and

switch!! Your pedi is your employee (as I think of it). If you are concerned,

he should be concerned. You NEED to get a second opinion. Time matters- the

faster you get him banded, the faster you can put this ALL behind you.

And get a new pedi. Really.