Recent Diagnosis of Deformational Plagiocephaly w/ Questions

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

My daughter was recently diagnosed with plagiocephaly and I'm not sure how to

handle her diagnosis and treatment. Her pediatrician and neurosurgeon are of the

opinion that it will right itself with time and that it is mild. The

neurosurgeon suggested tummy time, repositioning and taking pictures to document

her case until she is 9 months. Cranial Technologies (went without a referral)

determined that she had moderate deformational plagiocephaly. My husband is of

the opinion to follow the neurosurgeon's advice.

Here's my story....She was evaluated at 5 3/4 months and is currently 7 months

on Nov. 9th. At NJ's CT she was diagnosed with Right Occipital Flattening, Left

Frontal Flattening, a Right Anterior Shift and Left Eye Fissure Narrowed. I've

requested the actual measurements, but have gotten nowhere. Moreover, I have a

bunch of questions I'm having a hard time getting answered.

1. Has anyone's child been diagnosed with these issues and grown out of it? (I

guess I'm hoping that it will correct itself)

2. If treatment is begun at ten to eleven months, will it be effective and

approximately how long will she need to wear the band?

2. Has anyone used Cranial Sacral Therapy to correct the condition? Did it work?

(either with or without band treatment) Can you recommend someone in NYC?

3. Are there physicians on staff at CT?

4. Are there any studies (if so, where?) to illustrate that there are medical

ramifications to using the band?

5. What problems have you run into using the band?

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

[Guest guest]

Hi there-

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can:

1. Has anyone's child been diagnosed with these issues and grown out of it? (I

guess I'm hoping that it will correct itself)

We were told that my son's plagio would correct itself, but by 16 months old,

there was little to no change and I couldn't risk the chance that it would

remain that way forever, so we did band him at 17 months old and got really good

results from 2 DOCBands (CT is the best, in my opinion, so you are in good hands

there). He is now 3 and there is still asymmetry to be seen in his forehead,

flat spot and ears, though definitely better than where we started and I am 100%

positive he would not have improved to this point naturally without the help of

his two bands.

2. If treatment is begun at ten to eleven months, will it be effective and

approximately how long will she need to wear the band?

I already partially answered this above. My son wore 2 DOCBands (not that 2 will

be necessary for you, but I was interested in getting as much correction as we

could in the small window we had, and it was definitely worth it), each for the

full 16 weeks allowed. I would guess that your daughter would at least wear 1

band for the full 16 weeks, unless she has a major growth spurt and grows out of

it before then. Which would be good, because then you would also see a lot of

correction.

2. Has anyone used Cranial Sacral Therapy to correct the condition? Did it work?

(either with or without band treatment) Can you recommend someone in NYC?

I have not, but some others have, usually in conjunction with the band.

3. Are there physicians on staff at CT?

No. Nor are there physicians on staff at any other ortho office. CT is staffed

mostly by physical and occupational therapists, and ocassionally orthotists

trained specifically in DOCBand treatment. They are all trained the same and are

regularly overseen by their headquarters. Most other orthos using other bands do

not have anyone " looking over their shoulder " so it can be hit or miss with

their level of expertise.

4. Are there any studies (if so, where?) to illustrate that there are medical

ramifications to using the band?

None that I know of for using the band, but there are plenty that talk about the

ramifications of NOT using it. You can look through our files section, I know

there is a folder about untreated plagio with documentation that you might be

interested in.

5. What problems have you run into using the band?

Some kids can have skin problems, usually mild, and they typically adjust.

Others can have problems adjusting to sleeping in it, but again, they will

usually adjust within 1-2 weeks. In extreme cases, you could get a poorly fitted

helmet, but honestly, if you go to CT, that is EXTREMELY rare. My son,

fortunately, did not have any issues and took to his band just fine. Kids are

much more resilient then we give them credit for. And I know for a fact that I

stressed over banding WAY more than my son did.

Hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Jake-3 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> My daughter was recently diagnosed with plagiocephaly and I'm not sure how to

handle her diagnosis and treatment. Her pediatrician and neurosurgeon are of the

opinion that it will right itself with time and that it is mild. The

neurosurgeon suggested tummy time, repositioning and taking pictures to document

her case until she is 9 months. Cranial Technologies (went without a referral)

determined that she had moderate deformational plagiocephaly. My husband is of

the opinion to follow the neurosurgeon's advice.

>

> Here's my story....She was evaluated at 5 3/4 months and is currently 7 months

on Nov. 9th. At NJ's CT she was diagnosed with Right Occipital Flattening, Left

Frontal Flattening, a Right Anterior Shift and Left Eye Fissure Narrowed. I've

requested the actual measurements, but have gotten nowhere. Moreover, I have a

bunch of questions I'm having a hard time getting answered.

>

> 1. Has anyone's child been diagnosed with these issues and grown out of it? (I

guess I'm hoping that it will correct itself)

> 2. If treatment is begun at ten to eleven months, will it be effective and

approximately how long will she need to wear the band?

> 2. Has anyone used Cranial Sacral Therapy to correct the condition? Did it

work? (either with or without band treatment) Can you recommend someone in NYC?

> 3. Are there physicians on staff at CT?

> 4. Are there any studies (if so, where?) to illustrate that there are medical

ramifications to using the band?

> 5. What problems have you run into using the band?

>

> Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter wore a starband, but I agree with nicoles answers to your questions.

Some children do self correct to a degree, but you don't know if yours will or

wont. Also the earlier you band you generally have a better outcome because

growth slows down as babies get older. If you're not happy with her head I would

recommend banding. Also feel free to post pictures if you want opinions base on

her head. A top view is often good as showing the problems.

-christine

sydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad

> >

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > My daughter was recently diagnosed with plagiocephaly and I'm not sure how

to handle her diagnosis and treatment. Her pediatrician and neurosurgeon are of

the opinion that it will right itself with time and that it is mild. The

neurosurgeon suggested tummy time, repositioning and taking pictures to document

her case until she is 9 months. Cranial Technologies (went without a referral)

determined that she had moderate deformational plagiocephaly. My husband is of

the opinion to follow the neurosurgeon's advice.

> >

> > Here's my story....She was evaluated at 5 3/4 months and is currently 7

months on Nov. 9th. At NJ's CT she was diagnosed with Right Occipital

Flattening, Left Frontal Flattening, a Right Anterior Shift and Left Eye Fissure

Narrowed. I've requested the actual measurements, but have gotten nowhere.

Moreover, I have a bunch of questions I'm having a hard time getting answered.

> >

> > 1. Has anyone's child been diagnosed with these issues and grown out of it?

(I guess I'm hoping that it will correct itself)

> > 2. If treatment is begun at ten to eleven months, will it be effective and

approximately how long will she need to wear the band?

> > 2. Has anyone used Cranial Sacral Therapy to correct the condition? Did it

work? (either with or without band treatment) Can you recommend someone in NYC?

> > 3. Are there physicians on staff at CT?

> > 4. Are there any studies (if so, where?) to illustrate that there are

medical ramifications to using the band?

> > 5. What problems have you run into using the band?

> >

> > Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

> >

>