Re: Hanger in andria, VA

[Guest guest]

I know that there are several Hanger locations in the metro DC area and I visited the Hanger one in andria back when I was researching band providers. In short, this is what my impressions of them was:

- The place looked run down a little

- The staff was nice but while they told me at first that the band would be covered, I found out later that it wouldn't

- The orthotist that saw us looked so young she actually looked like she was right out of high school. She was extremely sweet though, but still...

- They only took hand measurements of Maysa's head, no scan.

If you are looking for another option in the area, why don't you check Orthomerica in Columbia, MD. They are a little less than 1h away from andria, the drive isn't so bad at all and the staff there is top notch with an experienced orthotist and a reliable product.

Leila,

Maysa, 2 yo, DOC band Grad 5.26.09www.mymaysa.wordpress.com

From: julieccarr <julieccarr@...>Subject: Hanger in andria, VAPlagiocephaly Date: Monday, May 24, 2010, 8:29 AM

For those of you that got your band through Hanger in andria, VA who did you see and what were your thoughts on that location? I'm thinking about going ahead and getting a second opinion. I want to go to the Reston, VA location but have heard of several people from this group going to andria so I'd rather go there if it might be a better location. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I've thought about going to Columbia but since we have the other 2 places so close by I figured I could just stay local. I have a feeling we'll be sticking with CT no matter what but I do plan to check out Hanger in Reston instead of andria now since they do have the same manager at both sites who has many years of experience.

From: julieccarr <julieccarr (DOT) com>Subject: Hanger in andria, VAPlagiocephalyDate: Monday, May 24, 2010, 8:29 AM

For those of you that got your band through Hanger in andria, VA who did you see and what were your thoughts on that location? I'm thinking about going ahead and getting a second opinion. I want to go to the Reston, VA location but have heard of several people from this group going to andria so I'd rather go there if it might be a better location. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

,

I guess I see it as it depends upon why you are going. Since we don't have any information about the local Hanger locations, but you do have information about the CT and the STAR cranial, doesn't it make sense to get your two opinions from those locations.

If you want two sure bets, the CT and that star cranial location will both give that to you. I can attest personally to the star cranial and others can attest to the CT location. Plank, ortho at star cranial is actually a prominent person in the field. I have seen her name in the same locations as the top names at CT (ie. Tim Littlefield) on things like committees and journal staff. She has also written several research articles in the field. That is what I found when I did a recent pub med search. And, her personality is such that she is wonderful with parents and the babies. Obviously, you sound like you are probably going to go with CT and you are pretty much guaranteed to be fine with them, but I also think that you could get that same guarantee with this STAR cranial location. And, there may be reasons in your case (other than location) that it might be better. 1. the baby does not need to hold the head up for a scan. They are scanned on a table and the ortho can hold the head in position. 2. the band will last longer so it can stay on until the tort is resolved enough to lower the risk of regression. 3. the cost of the band is similar (it was 100 dollars less when we banded), but they gave me a 700 dollar discount (instead of the 300 I've heard about from CT) for not having insurance coverage.

Even if you just want a second opinion, knows her stuff and could give you a knowledgeable opinion. Plus, you could get a really copy scan report that would give you precise measurements (if you want the more accurate numbers - some people dont' care). I'm not sure that we know that about the Hanger staff at these locations.

Anyway, obviously either choice will be fine, but I just thought that I would give you this information to think about. I think that we are really lucky to have good choices in our area.

Hanger in andria, VAPlagiocephalyDate: Monday, May 24, 2010, 8:29 AM

For those of you that got your band through Hanger in andria, VA who did you see and what were your thoughts on that location? I'm thinking about going ahead and getting a second opinion. I want to go to the Reston, VA location but have heard of several people from this group going to andria so I'd rather go there if it might be a better location. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Thanks . I will consider STAR. :-)

From: julieccarr <julieccarr (DOT) com>Subject: Hanger in andria, VAPlagiocephalyDate: Monday, May 24, 2010, 8:29 AM

For those of you that got your band through Hanger in andria, VA who did you see and what were your thoughts on that location? I'm thinking about going ahead and getting a second opinion. I want to go to the Reston, VA location but have heard of several people from this group going to andria so I'd rather go there if it might be a better location. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

After more trouble with Cranial Tech today I made appts to go see Hanger in Reston and Star Cranial in Columbia. I'm very excited to see what these two places have to tell me. Nothing against CT as I know they are the best of the best but after the experience I have been through with them they certainly have left a bad impression which I am very sad about.

From: julieccarr <julieccarr (DOT) com>Subject: Hanger in andria, VAPlagiocephalyDate: Monday, May 24, 2010, 8:29 AM

For those of you that got your band through Hanger in andria, VA who did you see and what were your thoughts on that location? I'm thinking about going ahead and getting a second opinion. I want to go to the Reston, VA location but have heard of several people from this group going to andria so I'd rather go there if it might be a better location. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

,Rest assured that you are doing exactly what you should do--seek other opinions and research so that you can make an informed decision. I did go back and read your original post to find out what your experience was like with CT. Although we did not choose CT for my daughter 's treatment, we did have a consult with them and the clinician did bring up her concern about banding with such severe torticollis. However, was well over 7 months old at the time and the window of opportunity for correction was closing. The clinician wanted to make sure that was already receiving PT, which she had just begun a couple of weeks prior to this appt. The clinician advised that we could make a lot of progress in only a couple of weeks with intense PT and advised having

seen more than once a week by her PT in an effort to acclerate her improvement.I brought this up to the PT( with Chesapeake Children's Therapy in Springfield, VA--great PT--she's the person who recognized 's need for a helmet-not the ped!) I was able to do some really aggressive at home exercises(I'm a stay-at-home mom) and by the time was banded(by another provider) about 3 weeks later, she was able to hold her head up at least most of the time--marked improvement.)CT did explain that if we did not see some improvement in 's tort, that it would be really difficult to get a proper fit and her correction would not be as good. I do believe CT was sincere in giving this advice and although we didn't choose them as a provider, I honestly believe that the clinician did give us some good advice about this. I know how it feels when you know that your child needs help and their are obstacles to overcome. I

was completely frantic when 's ped wouldn't listen when both CT and the PT recommended helmet therapy. This can be so frustrating, but rest assured you will get the help your child needs and you still have time, so try to relax. You are doing all the right things.Best of luck to you.-AmyFrom: Carr <julieccarr@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Wed, May 26, 2010 7:24:26 PMSubject: Re: Hanger in andria,

VA

After more trouble with Cranial Tech today I made appts to go see Hanger in Reston and Star Cranial in Columbia. I'm very excited to see what these two places have to tell me. Nothing against CT as I know they are the best of the best but after the experience I have been through with them they certainly have left a bad impression which I am very sad about.

From: julieccarr <julieccarr (DOT) com>Subject: Hanger in andria, VAPlagiocephalyDate: Monday, May 24, 2010, 8:29 AM

For those of you that got your band through Hanger in andria, VA who did you see and what were your thoughts on that location? I'm thinking about going ahead and getting a second opinion. I want to go to the Reston, VA location but have heard of several people from this group going to andria so I'd rather go there if it might be a better location. Thanks!