Doc Band almost done but no improvement--any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

We've been in the Doc Band for 2-1/2 months, and Cranial Tech tells us that he

only has one more adjustment and then it can't be adjusted anymore, so we're

basically done in 2-4 weeks. The problem is that the forehead really hasn't

improved at all. He has pretty significant plagiocephaly, so his right forehead

bulges out compared to the left side. One problem was that he didn't really grow

much in the last 6 weeks, but if that's true, I don't understand why they made

adjustments every time? They tell me that the back of the head has rounded out

nicely, and maybe that's true (I can't really tell but I'm taking their word for

it). Visually, though, the back of the head was never really a problem--it's the

forehead that's so noticeable. It seems like he could just keep wearing this

same helmet, but maybe the problem is that the back of the head would then

overcorrect. I asked if we should get a new helmet, but they said they're not

sure if they can make a helmet to correct the front only, and that I need to

call next week after they have an answer. I thought CT was the absolute

authority with this condition? I have a hard time believing they've never seen a

case like this before and can't tell me whether it's treatable without calling

Headquarters.

I'm wondering if we should try a different place than CT. Any suggestions for

other places in Los Angeles? A friend used Ortho Engineering on La Cienega. We

just want to cure this asap while he's still young enough to be remolded (he's

10 months old now). I highly doubt insurance we'll cover it but we don't care at

this point (still trying to get the 1st paid for but not having much luck).

[Guest guest]

Hello, I am in pretty much the same boat as you! My son is 6 months old, was born with torticollis and has severe plagiocephaly with ear, forehead and cheek distortion. He's been in his doc band for 6 weeks now, and already outgrown it. 2nd band comes in 10 days. I too was surprised by the frankness of CT regarding dimishing returns on the facial distortion from this point forward. I've learned 3 key things from online groups and friends in healthcare:1 CT is the only helmet provider that does not farm out their product to 2nd parties. Meaning they intensely train and house staff at facilities across the us to handle the fittings exclusively to make it seamless from initial acan thru final fitting2 is your son in phys therapy? If so get a referral to see their associated neurosurgeon (craniofacial plastic surgeon) to get their thoughts on progress made and potential further implications3 I have done this and was told that while there are no guarantees on further feature alignment progress, optimal results are achieved when treated min 3 - max 6 months involving at least 2 major growth spurts. The helmet initially is preventartive, blocking further irregularity, but overall spurts of growth allow the head plates to shift within the band. They shave the band even without growth spurts because the head shape dows change slightly overall but the growth and movement will hopefully push the facial features in the right direction too.Hope this makes sense. Best of luck to your family.Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: "" <jamesvtoomey@...>Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:07:48 -0000<Plagiocephaly >Subject: Doc Band almost done but no improvement--any suggestions? We've been in the Doc Band for 2-1/2 months, and Cranial Tech tells us that he only has one more adjustment and then it can't be adjusted anymore, so we're basically done in 2-4 weeks. The problem is that the forehead really hasn't improved at all. He has pretty significant plagiocephaly, so his right forehead bulges out compared to the left side. One problem was that he didn't really grow much in the last 6 weeks, but if that's true, I don't understand why they made adjustments every time? They tell me that the back of the head has rounded out nicely, and maybe that's true (I can't really tell but I'm taking their word for it). Visually, though, the back of the head was never really a problem--it's the forehead that's so noticeable. It seems like he could just keep wearing this same helmet, but maybe the problem is that the back of the head would then overcorrect. I asked if we should get a new helmet, but they said they're not sure if they can make a helmet to correct the front only, and that I need to call next week after they have an answer. I thought CT was the absolute authority with this condition? I have a hard time believing they've never seen a case like this before and can't tell me whether it's treatable without calling Headquarters.I'm wondering if we should try a different place than CT. Any suggestions for other places in Los Angeles? A friend used Ortho Engineering on La Cienega. We just want to cure this asap while he's still young enough to be remolded (he's 10 months old now). I highly doubt insurance we'll cover it but we don't care at this point (still trying to get the 1st paid for but not having much luck).

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Are you going to Pasadena, CA? Who are you seeing?

I forgot the name of the lady we saw there, but she said could

have a helmet and then CT couldn't make one. Maybe, now they have to

check in with headquarters before promising. There has to be enough

asymmetry for the holding points. Even though CT could not make a

second helmet, he has stayed in his Starband and improved further.

There was someone else on this list too who CT didn't make a helmet for

and then they got a Starband. Their case was mild also. So, if the

Doc Band is not able to fix your problem, I suggest finding a

recommended Starband provider in your area.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 18 months, over 6 months in Starband

wrote:

We've been in the Doc Band for 2-1/2 months, and Cranial Tech

tells us that he only has one more adjustment and then it can't be

adjusted anymore, so we're basically done in 2-4 weeks. The problem is

that the forehead really hasn't improved at all. He has pretty

significant plagiocephaly, so his right forehead bulges out compared to

the left side. One problem was that he didn't really grow much in the

last 6 weeks, but if that's true, I don't understand why they made

adjustments every time? They tell me that the back of the head has

rounded out nicely, and maybe that's true (I can't really tell but I'm

taking their word for it). Visually, though, the back of the head was

never really a problem--it's the forehead that's so noticeable. It

seems like he could just keep wearing this same helmet, but maybe the

problem is that the back of the head would then overcorrect. I asked if

we should get a new helmet, but they said they're not sure if they can

make a helmet to correct the front only, and that I need to call next

week after they have an answer. I thought CT was the absolute authority

with this condition? I have a hard time believing they've never seen a

case like this before and can't tell me whether it's treatable without

calling Headquarters.

I'm wondering if we should try a different place than CT. Any

suggestions for other places in Los Angeles? A friend used Ortho

Engineering on La Cienega. We just want to cure this asap while he's

still young enough to be remolded (he's 10 months old now). I highly

doubt insurance we'll cover it but we don't care at this point (still

trying to get the 1st paid for but not having much luck).

[Guest guest]

,

We were also told by CT that they could not make a band for our daughter because

she was too mild. Our main concern was her forehead and facial asymmetry so we

consulted with the people who make the Starband helmet. She has only been in

her helmet for 3 weeks so I can't really give you an update on her progress but

you may want to at least speak with the Starband people as they may band even

though CT wouldn't.

Annette (14 month old with mild plagio)

> >

> >

> > We've been in the Doc Band for 2-1/2 months, and Cranial Tech tells us

> > that he only has one more adjustment and then it can't be adjusted

> > anymore, so we're basically done in 2-4 weeks. The problem is that the

> > forehead really hasn't improved at all. He has pretty significant

> > plagiocephaly, so his right forehead bulges out compared to the left

> > side. One problem was that he didn't really grow much in the last 6

> > weeks, but if that's true, I don't understand why they made

> > adjustments every time? They tell me that the back of the head has

> > rounded out nicely, and maybe that's true (I can't really tell but I'm

> > taking their word for it). Visually, though, the back of the head was

> > never really a problem--it's the forehead that's so noticeable. It

> > seems like he could just keep wearing this same helmet, but maybe the

> > problem is that the back of the head would then overcorrect. I asked

> > if we should get a new helmet, but they said they're not sure if they

> > can make a helmet to correct the front only, and that I need to call

> > next week after they have an answer. I thought CT was the absolute

> > authority with this condition? I have a hard time believing they've

> > never seen a case like this before and can't tell me whether it's

> > treatable without calling Headquarters.

> > I'm wondering if we should try a different place than CT. Any

> > suggestions for other places in Los Angeles? A friend used Ortho

> > Engineering on La Cienega. We just want to cure this asap while he's

> > still young enough to be remolded (he's 10 months old now). I highly

> > doubt insurance we'll cover it but we don't care at this point (still

> > trying to get the 1st paid for but not having much luck).

> >

> >

>