Re: I'm concerned about ortho's expertise

[Guest guest]

i went to a hanger place an hour from where i live, in kansas city, ks. i like

my sons ortho ok. i think he knows what he is doing.

they actually did a cast of my sons head.... he got the band a week before he

turned 6 months and has been wearing the band about a week almost and i am

seeing amazing results!!! the hanger i went to doesnt like for you to get the

band so soon, though, he says when the baby is starting to sit up and such...

also, i got the STARband from the hanger office....does your babys band have a

star on the back of it??? mine does but we went to the hanger facility. i heard

that the casting is more accurate, but im really not sure so dont quote me on

that!!

as for the refund, maybe you should talk to them and just tell them you arent

satisfied...also, my son had a few red spots on his head from the band but after

wearing it a couple days it has subsided and i dont see it anymore i think he

just needed to get used to it

good luck!

>

> Hello,

>

> I live in California and got a Hanger helmet for my son 3 weeks ago, when he

turned 4 months. Unfortunately, things have not been going well, so my baby is

still not wearing his helmet full-time (23 hours each day). Here's a summary of

what's happened so far --

>

> Week 1: We got the helmet on a Friday. My ortho flew out to the East Coast

for a week-long conference the following Monday, so I was only able to consult

with him on the phone that week. My baby got red spots on his head from wearing

the helmet, so the longest he wore it that week was 4 hours.

>

> Week 2: My ortho came back from the East Coast. I had to bring my baby and

helmet in 3 times (yes, every other day) to the office for adjustments due to

red spots on his head. At the third appointment of that week, my ortho took a

head scan to make a new helmet.

>

> Week 3: There was a lingering red spot from wearing the helmet for 8 hours

overnight. My ortho told me not to put the helmet on again until the red spot

goes away. The redness is finally fading, after 6 days! We're going to put the

helmet on again today, according to my ortho's instructions. Also, the ortho

called today because the scan he took last week had problems and he needs to

re-scan my baby's head, so I'm bringing my baby in tomorrow for the scan.

>

> My experience these past 3 weeks has left me with little confidence in my

ortho's expertise in helmet therapy. My current plan is to voice my concerns

tomorrow during the appointment. If things don't improve by the end of the

month, I will most likely end therapy with Hanger and go to CIRS in Oakland. I

imagine I will have to pay out-of-pocket for helmet therapy at a second

clinic....

>

> I would appreciate advice from families that have gone through a similar

experience being concerned about the ortho's expertise. Is it possible to get a

partial refund from Hanger? My ortho has been responsive to my calls and does

seem to be doing his best. It's just that it's been 3 weeks and my baby is

still not able to wear his helmet full-time. Also, I don't think I can continue

to go in for appointments every few days.

>

> Thanks for your thoughts,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!

My insurance (Blue Shield) is currently reviewing Hanger's claim. I'm hoping

that I won't need to go through a lot of hassle to get Blue Shield to pay. My

baby's asymmetry is severe, 16-17mm.

I went in to the Hanger office yesterday, and the ortho re-scanned my baby's

head. At the end of the appointment, I told him that I had serious concerns

about the treatment progress. Of course, he tried to alleviate my concerns. I

will see if the second helmet fits better and then go from there.

Thanks again,