Re: 1-2 more months--ugh!!

[Guest guest]

What type of band is he wearing? I’m concerned that

he would be wearing it more than 6 months as most bands (STARband, Hanger Band)

are only effective for 6 months (Doc Bands are only good for 4 months).

If you really want to see more correction, you should be getting a new band,

not wearing the old one for a longer period.

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 4, tort & plagio,

STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06, Graduate!

, 6.5

, 10

From: Plagiocephaly

[mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of Betsy

Sent: 17 November 2009 8:22 AM

Plagiocephaly

Subject: 1-2 more months--ugh!!

Elijah has had his helmet six months--his head shape is

nearly perfect; even his ears are nearly in line now. But his blasted

forehead is still a little slopey. So the doctor wants to make sure his

eye sockets are as even as we can get them-

Dr. said at least one more month, maybe two. I'm

sure it will go fast since it's the holiday season! and at least he'll stay

warm. But I really hoped to get it off by his birthday (which was two

weeks ago); now I can only hope it's off by Christmas.

So disappointed, BUT we do want the best correction-- -

Betsy

[Guest guest]

It's a passive helmet, very different animal from an active band.

Don't worry, it's a reputable place I emailed several old list members and talked to ppl in our area; it just takes 5-8 months for correction, unfortunately.

The distance to an active band place was prohibitive, so we went with what we could do--and it's working very well, just much slower.

He still has tons of room available in his helmet by removing some of the custom-molded foam, so he could wear it for a long time with monthly adjustments (but I'm hoping for just another month-----)

Betsy

From: Foley, Molly <mafoley@...>Subject: RE: 1-2 more months--ugh!!Plagiocephaly Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 10:44 AM

What type of band is he wearing? I’m concerned that he would be wearing it more than 6 months as most bands (STARband, Hanger Band) are only effective for 6 months (Doc Bands are only good for 4 months). If you really want to see more correction, you should be getting a new band, not wearing the old one for a longer period.

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 4, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/ 06, Graduate!

, 6.5

, 10

From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocepha lygroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of BetsySent: 17 November 2009 8:22 AMPlagiocephalySubject: 1-2 more months--ugh! !

Elijah has had his helmet six months--his head shape is nearly perfect; even his ears are nearly in line now. But his blasted forehead is still a little slopey. So the doctor wants to make sure his eye sockets are as even as we can get them-

Dr. said at least one more month, maybe two. I'm sure it will go fast since it's the holiday season! and at least he'll stay warm. But I really hoped to get it off by his birthday (which was two weeks ago); now I can only hope it's off by Christmas.

So disappointed, BUT we do want the best correction-- -

Betsy

[Guest guest]

That's good to hear.  I was afraid that it was an ortho using a STARband incorrectly.  Sounds like you are in good hands there!

 

Molly

On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 9:20 AM, Betsy <bsm7305@...> wrote:

It's a passive helmet, very different animal from an active band. 

 

Don't worry, it's a reputable place   I emailed several old list members and talked to ppl in our area; it just takes 5-8 months for correction, unfortunately.

 

The distance to an active band place was prohibitive, so we went with what we could do--and it's working very well, just much slower.

 

He still has tons of room available in his helmet by removing some of the custom-molded foam, so he could wear it for a long time with monthly adjustments (but I'm hoping for just another month-----)

 

Betsy

From: Foley, Molly <mafoley@...>Subject: RE: 1-2 more months--ugh!!

Plagiocephaly Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 10:44 AM

 

What type of band is he wearing?  I’m concerned that he would be wearing it more than 6 months as most bands (STARband, Hanger Band) are only effective for 6 months (Doc Bands are only good for 4 months).  If you really want to see more correction, you should be getting a new band, not wearing the old one for a longer period.

 

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 4, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/ 06, Graduate!

, 6.5 , 10  

From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocepha lygroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of Betsy

Sent: 17 November 2009 8:22 AMPlagiocephalySubject: 1-2 more months--ugh! !

 

Elijah has had his helmet six months--his head shape is nearly perfect; even his ears are nearly in line now.  But his blasted forehead is still a little slopey.  So the doctor wants to make sure his eye sockets are as even as we can get them-

 

Dr. said at least one more month, maybe two.  I'm sure it will go fast since it's the holiday season! and at least he'll stay warm.  But I really hoped to get it off by his birthday (which was two weeks ago); now I can only hope it's off by Christmas.

 

So disappointed, BUT we do want the best correction-- -

 

Betsy

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Do you know why wearing the STARband more than 6 months is

ineffective? Are you sure? Do you know of any harm of wearing the

helmet past 6 months? I even called Orthomerica to ask about this.

The guy who answered told me if we had another helmet made it would be

like trading in hats.

We are planning on going past 6 months and so far it is okay with our

ortho. He told my husband the material does not wear out. He said

sometimes they make a new helmet, but that my son's head shape has not

changed enough for that. He said a new helmet would be no more

effective than the old. Now he doesn't think the old one will be very

effective after 6 months either. That is not because the helmet will

be too old, but our son hits 18 months at his 6 month anniversary of

wearing the helmet and he thinks there isn't much growth past this

age. Actually, in our case a new helmet is probably not possible due

to age and mildness. I doubt the ortho would agree to a new helmet and

it would not be cost effective anyhow.

Now the reason for keeping in the helmet past 6 months is that he

is not within normal range. Even a small improvement could be a

significant improvement toward his head looking normal, since his head

is now very mild. Also, we have not seen a slow down in improvement

rate yet and 's been in the helmet 5.5 months already. 's

improvement has remained slow and steady. We see no drawbacks in

continuing with the helmet.

Anyhow, please let me know of any potential dangers of hearing the

helmet past 6 months with the ortho still adjusting it. Our ortho has

a great reputation with lots of experience, so I trust him. Probably

our case is unique.

Thanks,

Kathy, mom to , 17.5 months, 5.5 months in Starband

Foley, Molly wrote:

What type of band is

he wearing? I’m concerned that

he would be wearing it more than 6 months as most bands (STARband,

Hanger Band)

are only effective for 6 months (Doc Bands are only good for 4

months).

If you really want to see more correction, you should be getting a new

band,

not wearing the old one for a longer period.

Molly

Novato,

California

Nicolas,

4, tort & plagio,

STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06, Graduate!

,

6.5

,

10

From: Plagiocephaly

[mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of Betsy

Sent: 17 November 2009 8:22 AM

Plagiocephaly

Subject: 1-2 more months--ugh!!

Elijah has had his helmet six months--his

head shape is nearly perfect; even his ears are nearly in line now.

But his blasted forehead is still a little slopey. So the doctor wants

to make sure his eye sockets are as even as we can get them-

Dr. said at least one more month, maybe

two. I'm sure it will go fast since it's the holiday season! and at

least he'll stay warm. But I really hoped to get it off by his

birthday (which was two weeks ago); now I can only hope it's off by Christmas.

So disappointed, BUT we do want the best

correction-- -

Betsy

[Guest guest]

On Nov 17, 2009, at 12:20 PM, Betsy wrote:

> The distance to an active band place was prohibitive, so we went

> with what we could do--and it's working very well, just much slower.

I thought I was out in the sticks! It had occurred to me that a

passive helmet would be a good way to introduce helmet therapy to an

area without also introducing orthotist error. Didn't think it was

that much slower, though. Orthomerica's Clarren helmet supposedly

takes 3-4 months?

http://www.orthomerica.com/products/cranial/clarren.htm

--

Thad Launderville

Montpelier, VT

Clara age 19 months, in STARband 3 months

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I believe that it is thought that STARbands are only good for 6 months, but I've never seen that anywhere "official" I would trust what orthoamerica told you. They are the makers of the band and would know better than anyone else.

Maybe the six month number came about because that's when most babies outgrow it or when there's been enough change that a new band is needed to capture the new head shape. But, in our cases, where the change is so slow and gradual, it might be different. I never asked the ortho whether the band would be good for longer because she was pushing to take it off because of the age. I wasn't expecting more change when I kept it on at night. I was just hoping to prevent regression.

Personally, I can now see in pictures that had more improvement when I kept her in the band for the 7th month at night. I didn't notice it at the time, but when I look back at pictures, I can tell. At the time, I thought I was just preventing more flatness, but the pictures seem to indicate that there was more correction. Not much - but that may be more due to her age and the fact that she only wore it at night.

If I were you, I would keep it on for at least another month and re-evaluate at that time. You'll know that the helmet isn't effective if there is growth, but the head shape doesn't change.

Re: 1-2 more months--ugh!!

Hi everyone,Do you know why wearing the STARband more than 6 months is ineffective? Are you sure? Do you know of any harm of wearing the helmet past 6 months? I even called Orthomerica to ask about this. The guy who answered told me if we had another helmet made it would be like trading in hats.We are planning on going past 6 months and so far it is okay with our ortho. He told my husband the material does not wear out. He said sometimes they make a new helmet, but that my son's head shape has not changed enough for that. He said a new helmet would be no more effective than the old. Now he doesn't think the old one will be very effective after 6 months either. That is not because the helmet will be too old, but our son hits 18 months at his 6 month anniversary of wearing the helmet and he thinks there isn't much growth past this age. Actually, in our case a new helmet is probably not possible due to age and mildness. I doubt the ortho would agree to a new helmet and it would not be cost effective anyhow.Now the reason for keeping in the helmet past 6 months is that he is not within normal range. Even a small improvement could be a significant improvement toward his head looking normal, since his head is now very mild. Also, we have not seen a slow down in improvement rate yet and 's been in the helmet 5.5 months already. 's improvement has remained slow and steady. We see no drawbacks in continuing with the helmet.Anyhow, please let me know of any potential dangers of hearing the helmet past 6 months with the ortho still adjusting it. Our ortho has a great reputation with lots of experience, so I trust him. Probably our case is unique.Thanks,Kathy, mom to , 17.5 months, 5.5 months in StarbandFoley, Molly wrote:

What type of band is he wearing? I’m concerned that he would be wearing it more than 6 months as most bands (STARband, Hanger Band) are only effective for 6 months (Doc Bands are only good for 4 months). If you really want to see more correction, you should be getting a new band, not wearing the old one for a longer period.

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 4, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06, Graduate!

, 6.5

, 10

From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of BetsySent: 17 November 2009 8:22 AMPlagiocephaly Subject: 1-2 more months--ugh!!

Elijah has had his helmet six months--his head shape is nearly perfect; even his ears are nearly in line now. But his blasted forehead is still a little slopey. So the doctor wants to make sure his eye sockets are as even as we can get them-

Dr. said at least one more month, maybe two. I'm sure it will go fast since it's the holiday season! and at least he'll stay warm. But I really hoped to get it off by his birthday (which was two weeks ago); now I can only hope it's off by Christmas.

So disappointed, BUT we do want the best correction-- -

Betsy

[Guest guest]

Thanks, , for the detailed response.  I'll have to let people

know how it goes keeping in the helmet past 6 months.  -Kathy

wrote:

 

Kathy,

 

I believe that it is thought that STARbands are only good for 6

months, but I've never seen that anywhere "official" I would trust what

orthoamerica told you. They are the makers of the band and would know

better than anyone else.

 

Maybe the six month number came about because that's when most

babies outgrow it or when there's been enough change that a new band is

needed to capture the new head shape. But, in our cases, where the

change is so slow and gradual, it might be different. I never asked the

ortho whether the band would be good for longer because she was pushing

to take it off because of the age. I wasn't expecting more change when

I kept it on at night. I was just hoping to prevent regression.

 

Personally, I can now see in pictures that had more

improvement when I kept her in the band for the 7th month at night. I

didn't notice it at the time, but when I look back at pictures, I can

tell. At the time, I thought I was just preventing more flatness, but

the pictures seem to indicate that there was more correction. Not much

- but that may be more due to her age and the fact that she only wore

it at night.

 

If I were you, I would keep it on for at least another month and

re-evaluate at that time. You'll know that the helmet isn't effective

if there is growth, but the head shape doesn't change.

       

 

1-2 more months--ugh!!

 

Elijah has had his helmet six

months--his head shape is nearly perfect; even his ears are nearly in

line now.  But his blasted forehead is still a little slopey.  So the

doctor wants to make sure his eye sockets are as even as we can get

them-

 

Dr. said at least one more month, maybe

two.  I'm sure it will go fast since it's the holiday season! and at

least he'll stay warm.  But I really hoped to get it off by his

birthday (which was two weeks ago); now I can only hope it's off by Christmas.

 

So disappointed, BUT we do want the best

correction-- -

 

Betsy