Guest guest Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 Are you in the USA? My answer is assuming you are... It's hard to say how much correction you can expect. It depends on how well the torticollis is treated, how compliant you are with band use, how much your baby's head grows during the treatment period, etc. My son was banded at 9 months, and the neurosurgeon predicted 80% improvement for him if we could get his torticollis resolved. He ended up going from 12 mm to 4 mm asymmetry, but we were not able to fully resolve his torticollis, so that limited his results. FYI, 4mm is the top of the normal range. Your goal at the neurosurgeon's office is 1. to make sure the neurosurgeon doesn't suspect anything besides plagiocephaly is causing the misshapen head, 2. to get a prescription for an orthotic helmet, and 3. to find out where in your area you can get the helmet. Some neurosurgeons don't like helmets, so if you get a neurosurgeon who doesn't want to give you a prescription, you can instead go directly to a helmet maker to have measurements taken, then try to get a prescription from your pediatrician when the measurements come out in the treatable range. The three largest helmet makers in the USA are Cranial Technologies, Orthomerica (StarScanner/StarBand), and Hanger. Google them to find locations near you and call for details and to find out if they will do a consult without a prescription. FYI, Cranial Tech locations all do a free consult without a prescription. Good luck at your appointment! > > Hello! I'm new to this group, just found it today. > > My son was born with torticollis which was diagnosed at his 2 month check up along with his plagiocephaly. We've been working since he was 3 months with various physical therapists to improve his torticollis enough so he could eventually be fitted with a corrective helmet. > > His therapist finally gave the go ahead to see a neurosurgeon for the corrective helmet and we go next week for our first appointment. > > I don't know anyone with experience with either torticollis or plagiocephaly, and the physical therapist currently assigned to us though good at her job is lacking bedside manner, hasn't been the best person to ask about what to expect. > > Can anyone share what we might expect and questions to ask? My son is now 8 1/2 months and all the therapist has been able to advise is that he'll for certain get a corrective device and because of his age she's not too sure about how much improvement to expect. > > Thanks!- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 As the other poster noted, it would be good to know where you're located. As for correction, banding before 1 year is usually a good. Earlier is better, but you are not really late. Make sure the person you're working with has good experience with banding and has a positive perspective about the results you can expect. The most popular band types are probably starband (orthomerica.com) and docband (cranialtech.com). Cranial tech locations are generally good, since they do only banding. Starband locations vary quite a bit depending how much experience the ortho has with banding. We had a very good starband provider in the SF Bay Area a few years ago. The amount of correction is hard to say, but starting at this point you should definitely see good progress. I always recommend taking your own photos every week or two with approximately the same angle that shows the plagio well. This will help you monitor the progress on your own. It is hard to see the changes when you see your baby daily, so the photos help confirm you're moving in the right direction. -christine sydney, almost 5 yrs, starband grad > > Hello! I'm new to this group, just found it today. > > My son was born with torticollis which was diagnosed at his 2 month check up along with his plagiocephaly. We've been working since he was 3 months with various physical therapists to improve his torticollis enough so he could eventually be fitted with a corrective helmet. > > His therapist finally gave the go ahead to see a neurosurgeon for the corrective helmet and we go next week for our first appointment. > > I don't know anyone with experience with either torticollis or plagiocephaly, and the physical therapist currently assigned to us though good at her job is lacking bedside manner, hasn't been the best person to ask about what to expect. > > Can anyone share what we might expect and questions to ask? My son is now 8 1/2 months and all the therapist has been able to advise is that he'll for certain get a corrective device and because of his age she's not too sure about how much improvement to expect. > > Thanks!- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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