Re: Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

[Guest guest]

Clara's is tight on the right cheek, which makes sense, as I recall

our kids' heads are opposite. It holds against rotation in that

quadrant while keeping contact off the flatter side of the forehead,

which is just above. Because the cranium is so rounded already that

they can't figure any other way.

--

Thad Launderville

Montpelier, VT

Clara age 19 1/2 months, in STARband 3 1/2 months.

On Dec 4, 2009, at 12:13 AM, [] Jensen wrote:

> Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite

> the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we

> were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek.

> A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

> properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly

> why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in

> their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

[Guest guest]

,

's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed that maybe her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back, but I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller than her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet or if it was always that way. was also slightly flatter on the right side, although it was never actually described as plagio. I wonder if the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when the right side is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the fullness of the cheeks when the helmet is not on?

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek. A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

That makes total sense and explains 's helmet as well.

Re: Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

Clara's is tight on the right cheek, which makes sense, as I recall our kids' heads are opposite. It holds against rotation in that quadrant while keeping contact off the flatter side of the forehead, which is just above. Because the cranium is so rounded already that they can't figure any other way. -- Thad LaundervilleMontpelier, VTClara age 19 1/2 months, in STARband 3 1/2 months.On Dec 4, 2009, at 12:13 AM, [] Jensen wrote:> Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite > the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we > were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek. > A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted > properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly > why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in > their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

[Guest guest]

Hi and Thad,

Thanks!  This is Kathy again.

Yes, I am worried the helmet is creating asymmetry in the cheeks!  The

nanny showed me yesterday that the left cheek is not as full.  I'm

scared the helmet is causing it.   Or if it is from the plagio, that

makes me feel bad too.  At least, my husband and the osteopath could

not see it yesterday.  Anyone know if the helmet can cause this?  Any

advise?  I really wanted to keep the helmet on longer, but I'm not sure

if it is creating cheek problems.  is calling the ortho today.  Is

there any therapy to fix the cheeks?  I'm feeling panicked again.

Thanks in advance,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

wrote:

 

,

 

's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed that

maybe her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back,

but I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in

that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller than

her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet or if it

was always that way. was also slightly flatter on the right

side, although it was never actually described as plagio. I wonder if

the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when the right side

is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the fullness of the

cheeks when the helmet is not on?

       

 

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

 

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

 Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his

cheek.  A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it

would be asymmetrical this way.  Do other people see this in their

helmets?  Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi Thad,

Is Clara's right cheek less full? If so, do you know if it was that

way before the helmet? I'm getting worried about 's left cheek in

the helmet. The nanny thinks the helmet is pushing even more than it

used to since is bigger.

Thanks again,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

Thad Launderville wrote:

Clara's is tight on the right cheek, which makes sense, as I

recall

our kids' heads are opposite. It holds against rotation in that

quadrant while keeping contact off the flatter side of the forehead,

which is just above. Because the cranium is so rounded already that

they can't figure any other way.

--

Thad Launderville

Montpelier, VT

Clara age 19 1/2 months, in STARband 3 1/2 months.

On Dec 4, 2009, at 12:13 AM, [] Jensen wrote:

> Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite

> the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we

> were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek.

> A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

> properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly

> why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in

> their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

[Guest guest]

My son has some noticable differences in the fullness of his cheeks but I attribute it more to the torticollis. Sent from my iPhoneOn Dec 4, 2009, at 8:08 AM, Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensen@...> wrote:

Hi and Thad,

Thanks! This is Kathy again.

Yes, I am worried the helmet is creating asymmetry in the cheeks! The

nanny showed me yesterday that the left cheek is not as full. I'm

scared the helmet is causing it. Or if it is from the plagio, that

makes me feel bad too. At least, my husband and the osteopath could

not see it yesterday. Anyone know if the helmet can cause this? Any

advise? I really wanted to keep the helmet on longer, but I'm not sure

if it is creating cheek problems. is calling the ortho today. Is

there any therapy to fix the cheeks? I'm feeling panicked again.

Thanks in advance,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

wrote:

,

's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed that

maybe her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back,

but I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in

that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller than

her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet or if it

was always that way. was also slightly flatter on the right

side, although it was never actually described as plagio. I wonder if

the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when the right side

is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the fullness of the

cheeks when the helmet is not on?

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his

cheek. A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it

would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in their

helmets? Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

It would make sense that the cheek would be fuller on the side that has the flat spot since it pushes things forward. I'm not sure whether the added pressure on the other side could make it worse or not. I did worry about that a little, but never actually asked.

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek. A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I've never been 100% sure what people mean by " fullness " of cheeks.

The plagio causes the cheek opposite the flat spot in back to

recede. When you look at this one, more posterior cheek from the

front, facing the child, it appears broader -- and I think that is

what " full " usually means on plagio sites. But from above, the other

cheek protrudes more anteriorly, for which the word " full " would

seem more accurate... so it's confusing. The volume of " cheek " is

probably pretty much the same on both sides, it just depends how you

look at it.

I think it is just part of the plagio, anyhow. Furthermore, I don't

worry about the helmet's sideburn making it worse, because I perceive

the rotational force to be an order of magnitude less than the force

holding the high points on the cranium. The high point on the

anterior forehead is opposed by another high point on the posterior

occiput. It's just enough to counteract pivot and rotation. I

haven't studied cheek anatomy, but it seems to be acting on the bone

at a less effective angle, and diffused by a lot of soft tissue.

Chafe, rash, and bruising are the real concerns.

--

Thad

On Dec 4, 2009, at 11:11 AM, Kathy Jensen wrote:

>

>

> Hi Thad,

>

> Is Clara's right cheek less full? If so, do you know if it was

> that way before the helmet? I'm getting worried about 's left

> cheek in the helmet. The nanny thinks the helmet is pushing even

> more than it used to since is bigger.

>

> Thanks again,

> Kathy, mom to 18 months

>

>

>

> Thad Launderville wrote:

>>

>> Clara's is tight on the right cheek, which makes sense, as I recall

>> our kids' heads are opposite. It holds against rotation in that

>> quadrant while keeping contact off the flatter side of the forehead,

>> which is just above. Because the cranium is so rounded already that

>> they can't figure any other way.

>>

>> --

>> Thad Launderville

>> Montpelier, VT

>> Clara age 19 1/2 months, in STARband 3 1/2 months.

>>

>> On Dec 4, 2009, at 12:13 AM, [] Jensen wrote:

>>

>> > Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite

>> > the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we

>> > were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek.

>> > A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

>> > properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly

>> > why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in

>> > their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks.  I wish there was some way to know for sure if the helmet could

cause this.  It could make a difference on how much more we wear the

helmet.   You would think the helmet would be tested for this, so

hopefully the cheeks are not effected.  But then if something is always

pushing on the cheek, it seems it could be effected.

I really hope my husband is right and that 's cheeks are fine.  Our

nanny was worried because woke up from a nap with his cheek all

red.  Then she showed me the cheek was smaller and now she has taken

that back and claims she was wrong and that they are the same.  I'm

scared to take 's helmet off to look again for myself.  My husband

is waiting for the ortho to return his call.

Thanks again.

Kathy, mom to , 18 months

wrote:

 

Kathy,

 

It would make sense that the cheek would be fuller on the side

that has the flat spot since it pushes things forward. I'm not sure

whether the added pressure on the other side could make it worse or

not. I did worry about that a little, but never actually asked.

       

 

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

 

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

 Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his

cheek.  A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it

would be asymmetrical this way.  Do other people see this in their

helmets?  Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

Are you in the Starband now?  If so, for how long?  Did you notice the

cheek difference before the helmet?  Has it gotten worse or better

since starting the helmet?

I tried to look back at pictures and it is difficult to say for sure. 

Best,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

Diane Wharton wrote:

 

My son has some noticable differences in the fullness of his

cheeks but I attribute it more to the torticollis. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 4, 2009, at 8:08 AM, Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensengmail>

wrote:

 

Hi and Thad,

Thanks!  This is Kathy again.

Yes, I am worried the helmet is creating asymmetry in the cheeks!  The

nanny showed me yesterday that the left cheek is not as full.  I'm

scared the helmet is causing it.   Or if it is from the plagio, that

makes me feel bad too.  At least, my husband and the osteopath could

not see it yesterday.  Anyone know if the helmet can cause this?  Any

advise?  I really wanted to keep the helmet on longer, but I'm not sure

if it is creating cheek problems.  is calling the ortho today.  Is

there any therapy to fix the cheeks?  I'm feeling panicked again.

Thanks in advance,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

wrote:

 

,

 

's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed that

maybe her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back,

but I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in

that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller than

her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet or if it

was always that way. was also slightly flatter on the right

side, although it was never actually described as plagio. I wonder if

the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when the right side

is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the fullness of the

cheeks when the helmet is not on?

       

 

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

 

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

 Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his

cheek.  A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it

would be asymmetrical this way.  Do other people see this in their

helmets?  Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Thanks again. I'm going to pass this on to my husband for him to

parse. I think he'll agree that the helmet is not making the cheek

worse. I hope this is so. Hopefully, I'll decide 's cheek from

the plagio is very minor since it is just showing up now. I don't want

to end up more depressed again. Things caused by the plagio keep

showing up. :|( It seems odd that 's left side of his face would

be effected when the right forehead bulge was so tiny.

For people following this, do uneven cheeks caused by plagio ever even

out? Is there any treatment for this? Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Kathy

Thad Launderville wrote:

I've never been 100% sure what people mean by "fullness" of

cheeks.

The plagio causes the cheek opposite the flat spot in back to

recede. When you look at this one, more posterior cheek from the

front, facing the child, it appears broader -- and I think that is

what "full" usually means on plagio sites. But from above, the other

cheek protrudes more anteriorly, for which the word "full" would

seem more accurate... so it's confusing. The volume of "cheek" is

probably pretty much the same on both sides, it just depends how you

look at it.

I think it is just part of the plagio, anyhow. Furthermore, I don't

worry about the helmet's sideburn making it worse, because I perceive

the rotational force to be an order of magnitude less than the force

holding the high points on the cranium. The high point on the

anterior forehead is opposed by another high point on the posterior

occiput. It's just enough to counteract pivot and rotation. I

haven't studied cheek anatomy, but it seems to be acting on the bone

at a less effective angle, and diffused by a lot of soft tissue.

Chafe, rash, and bruising are the real concerns.

--

Thad

On Dec 4, 2009, at 11:11 AM, Kathy Jensen wrote:

>

>

> Hi Thad,

>

> Is Clara's right cheek less full? If so, do you know if it was

> that way before the helmet? I'm getting worried about 's left

> cheek in the helmet. The nanny thinks the helmet is pushing even

> more than it used to since is bigger.

>

> Thanks again,

> Kathy, mom to 18 months

>

>

>

> Thad Launderville wrote:

>>

>> Clara's is tight on the right cheek, which makes sense, as I

recall

>> our kids' heads are opposite. It holds against rotation in that

>> quadrant while keeping contact off the flatter side of the

forehead,

>> which is just above. Because the cranium is so rounded already

that

>> they can't figure any other way.

>>

>> --

>> Thad Launderville

>> Montpelier, VT

>> Clara age 19 1/2 months, in STARband 3 1/2 months.

>>

>> On Dec 4, 2009, at 12:13 AM, [] Jensen wrote:

>>

>> > Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite

>> > the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

Today we

>> > were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against

his cheek.

>> > A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was

adjusted

>> > properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on

exactly

>> > why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people

see this in

>> > their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,Our is in a Starband and has been in it only a month and a half. We are going to CIRS in Palo Alto but saw Amy rather than Bob for our last appointment.We noticed the cheek asymmetry quite awhile before we started the helmet. He also has a tilted mandible. All tort related from what I can tell. I think it's gotten somewhat better over time and I don't think it's gotten worse since he started the helmet. It's still obvious to me esp when he has the helmet off. DianeMom to 9.5 months old in STARband 1.5 months Sent from my iPhoneOn Dec 4, 2009, at 3:13 PM, Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensen@...> wrote:

Hi Diane,

Are you in the Starband now? If so, for how long? Did you notice the

cheek difference before the helmet? Has it gotten worse or better

since starting the helmet?

I tried to look back at pictures and it is difficult to say for sure.

Best,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

Diane Wharton wrote:

My son has some noticable differences in the fullness of his

cheeks but I attribute it more to the torticollis.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 4, 2009, at 8:08 AM, Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensengmail>

wrote:

Hi and Thad,

Thanks! This is Kathy again.

Yes, I am worried the helmet is creating asymmetry in the cheeks! The

nanny showed me yesterday that the left cheek is not as full. I'm

scared the helmet is causing it. Or if it is from the plagio, that

makes me feel bad too. At least, my husband and the osteopath could

not see it yesterday. Anyone know if the helmet can cause this? Any

advise? I really wanted to keep the helmet on longer, but I'm not sure

if it is creating cheek problems. is calling the ortho today. Is

there any therapy to fix the cheeks? I'm feeling panicked again.

Thanks in advance,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

wrote:

,

's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed that

maybe her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back,

but I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in

that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller than

her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet or if it

was always that way. was also slightly flatter on the right

side, although it was never actually described as plagio. I wonder if

the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when the right side

is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the fullness of the

cheeks when the helmet is not on?

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his

cheek. A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it

would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in their

helmets? Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I've seen complaints by other parents about the cheekbone being effected. Orthos

seem to dismiss it and say it is not a big deal. I really don't know. It doesn't

seem to be a problem all the time, but definitely a few parents have said it

bothered them. However I don't know about any follow up data - meaning if there

is asymmetry or flattening once they've been out of the band for a while.

Personally I would work with the ortho to see if any pressure on the cheekbone

can be minimized.

-christine

sydney, 3.5 yrs, starband grad

> >>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>> ,

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>> 's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed that maybe

> >>> her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back, but

> >>> I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in

> >>> that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller

> >>> than her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet

> >>> or if it was always that way. was also slightly flatter on

> >>> the right side, although it was never actually described as plagio.

> >>> I wonder if the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when

> >>> the right side is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the

> >>> fullness of the cheeks when the helmet is not on?

> >>>

> >>> Ticker id: IvP3

> >>> <http://sz0141.wc.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/public/blank.html#>

> >>> Ticker id: yZZP

> >>> <http://sz0141.wc.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/public/blank.html#>

> >>> Ticker id: lFno

> >>> <http://sz0141.wc.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/public/blank.html#>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>> Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>> (This is , Kathy's husband.)

> >>>

> >>>

> >>> Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone, opposite

> >>> the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone. Today we

> >>> were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his cheek. A

> >>> while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted properly

> >>> and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it would

> >>> be asymmetrical this way. Do other people see this in their

> >>> helmets? Any thoughts on why?

> >>>

> >>> Thanks,

> >>>

> >>>

> >>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My husband talked with the ortho. Thad is right that it is holding

against rotation. The ortho said the helmet would not cause permanent

cheek asymmetry. Hopefully, this is right. Plagio could, but there

wasn't anything in 's record about his cheeks. My guess is it is

the plagio, but it is very minor and that is why nobody noticed

before. The nanny was examining the cheek since woke up with it

red from the helmet pushing on it. The ortho told my husband that the

helmet could cause temporary cheek asymmetry if it was pushing against

the cheek such as when was sleeping. Other things could also

cause cheek asymmetry such as temporary fluid retention or a growth

spurt. Actually, I have a bad cold with my right sinuses much worse

than my left and my right cheek is puffier than the left when they

usually look about the same. also has a tiny cold.

I'm going to try and not pay any attention to 's cheek and

hopefully this will pass.

Thanks for the emails.

Kathy, mom to , 18 months

Thad Launderville wrote:

I've never been 100% sure what people mean by "fullness" of

cheeks.

The plagio causes the cheek opposite the flat spot in back to

recede. When you look at this one, more posterior cheek from the

front, facing the child, it appears broader -- and I think that is

what "full" usually means on plagio sites. But from above, the other

cheek protrudes more anteriorly, for which the word "full" would

seem more accurate... so it's confusing. The volume of "cheek" is

probably pretty much the same on both sides, it just depends how you

look at it.

I think it is just part of the plagio, anyhow. Furthermore, I don't

worry about the helmet's sideburn making it worse, because I perceive

the rotational force to be an order of magnitude less than the force

holding the high points on the cranium. The high point on the

anterior forehead is opposed by another high point on the posterior

occiput. It's just enough to counteract pivot and rotation. I

haven't studied cheek anatomy, but it seems to be acting on the bone

at a less effective angle, and diffused by a lot of soft tissue.

Chafe, rash, and bruising are the real concerns.

--

Thad

On Dec 4, 2009, at 11:11 AM, Kathy Jensen wrote:

>

>

> Hi Thad,

>

> Is Clara's right cheek less full? If so, do you know if it was

> that way before the helmet? I'm getting worried about 's left

> cheek in the helmet. The nanny thinks the helmet is pushing even

> more than it used to since is bigger.

>

> Thanks again,

> Kathy, mom to 18 months

>

>

>

> Thad Launderville wrote:

>>

>> Clara's is tight on the right cheek, which makes sense, as I

recall

>> our kids' heads are opposite. It holds against rotation in that

>> quadrant while keeping contact off the flatter side of the

forehead,

>> which is just above. Because the cranium is so rounded already

that

>> they can't figure any other way.

>>

>> --

>> Thad Launderville

>> Montpelier, VT

>> Clara age 19 1/2 months, in STARband 3 1/2 months.

>>

>> On Dec 4, 2009, at 12:13 AM, [] Jensen wrote:

>>

>> > Our son's Starband is tighter against his left cheekbone,

opposite

>> > the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

Today we

>> > were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against

his cheek.

>> > A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was

adjusted

>> > properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on

exactly

>> > why it would be asymmetrical this way. Do other people

see this in

>> > their helmets? Any thoughts on why?

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks!  Amy called my husband back and I'm feeling more confident that

the helmet is not causing the cheek problem.  (The last thing I would

want is for the helmet to cause a new problem.)  It could be something

temporary, but I think it is probably the plagio and we didn't notice

before since it is so mild.

Hope the helmet is working for you.

Kathy, mom to , 18 months

Diane Wharton wrote:

 

Hi Kathy,

Our is in a Starband and has been in it only a month and a

half. We are going to CIRS in Palo Alto but saw Amy rather than Bob for

our last appointment.

We noticed the cheek asymmetry quite awhile before we started

the helmet. He also has a tilted mandible. All tort related from what I

can tell.  I think it's gotten somewhat better over time and I don't

think it's gotten worse since he started the helmet. It's still obvious

to me esp when he has the helmet off. 

Diane

Mom to 9.5 months old in STARband 1.5 months 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 4, 2009, at 3:13 PM, Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensengmail>

wrote:

 

Hi Diane,

Are you in the Starband now?  If so, for how long?  Did you notice the

cheek difference before the helmet?  Has it gotten worse or better

since starting the helmet?

I tried to look back at pictures and it is difficult to say for sure. 

Best,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

Diane Wharton wrote:

 

My son has some noticable differences in the fullness of his

cheeks but I attribute it more to the torticollis. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 4, 2009, at 8:08 AM, Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensengmail>

wrote:

 

Hi and Thad,

Thanks!  This is Kathy again.

Yes, I am worried the helmet is creating asymmetry in the cheeks!  The

nanny showed me yesterday that the left cheek is not as full.  I'm

scared the helmet is causing it.   Or if it is from the plagio, that

makes me feel bad too.  At least, my husband and the osteopath could

not see it yesterday.  Anyone know if the helmet can cause this?  Any

advise?  I really wanted to keep the helmet on longer, but I'm not sure

if it is creating cheek problems.  is calling the ortho today.  Is

there any therapy to fix the cheeks?  I'm feeling panicked again.

Thanks in advance,

Kathy, mom to 18 months

wrote:

 

,

 

's helmet was the same way. At the time, I assumed

that

maybe her left cheekbone was just larger and needed to be held back,

but I'm not sure that a helmet could actually influence the shape in

that area. In any case, 's right cheek is a little fuller than

her left. I'm not sure whether that is a result of the helmet or if it

was always that way. was also slightly flatter on the right

side, although it was never actually described as plagio. I wonder if

the helmet just naturally shifts that way a little when the right side

is slightly flatter. Do you see differences in the fullness of the

cheeks when the helmet is not on?

       

 

Starband helmet against left cheekbone?

 

(This is , Kathy's husband.)

Our son's Starband is tighter against his left

cheekbone,

opposite the side he has mild plagio on, than his right cheekbone.

 Today we were a bit concerned that it might be pressing against his

cheek.  A while ago we asked the ortho about whether it was adjusted

properly and he said it was, but we weren't too clear on exactly why it

would be asymmetrical this way.  Do other people see this in their

helmets?  Any thoughts on why?

Thanks,