Re: does it matter now? :-s

[Guest guest]

It doesn't matter for now. The helmet will protect his head while he sleeps.

Hopefully by the end of treatment, he will realize that he can now roll his head

to other sides/positions and will grow out of that habit of laying the same way

all the time. If he is still doing it by the time he is finished with the

helmet, there could be some concern for regression. That wouldn't be definite,

but I would let him go for now, wait until he's fully adjusted and then see what

he's doing in a few weeks to a month. If he's still laying that way, then maybe

start forcing him to other positions again. Hopefully though, it works out

naturally once he realizes it's easier to move his head around to other

positions.

Jake-3.5 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

Raleigh, NC

>

> We just got a helmet for my 8 months old baby and he continues to sleep in his

prefered side always!!! I try to shift his head´s position but he refuses!

>

> does it matter anymore? should I keep trying or just let him be? he doesn´t

have torticulis.

>

> Please please! if you know anything about this let me know, my ped didn´t say

anything about this.

>

> thanks!!

>

[Guest guest]

, just because your son's PT said she doesn't think he has muscular tort

doesn't mean he doesn't have another form of torticollis. If he is showing a

consistent preference for one side, he should be checked for other causes of

tort like vision problems, bone abnormalities, and neurological problems. Take

him to a pediatric opthomologist familiar with ocular torticollis. Have an

orthopedist do neck xrays at the very least and possibly full spinal MRIs. Have

a nuero consult. Countless parents are told everything is ok only to discover

later that their child really has tort and it has a different cause.

Even if there isn't a problem with the SCM causing muscular tort, your son may

still need PT. If his preference has led to plagio it is probably strong enough

to lead to asymmetry in his gross motor development. It's best to address this

early. Does he roll both directions? If he's starting to sit up does he do it

from either side? Does he use each hand the same way? It's early for OT, but

that may later be needed for fine motor skills if you notice he always uses one

hand and not the other.

I'm not trying to scare you, but this is much harder to treat as they get older

and can cause permanent asymmetries in muscle development. You've already seen

how it can reshape the skull. It can also cause scoliosis and other problems. It

you still see a problem, find the cause and get treatment regardless of what one

PT said.

ED

>

> I have a question.  My 5 month old son has always tilted his head to the

right

> when sleeping, or in the carseat, swing, etc.  he was evaluated for tort and

I

> was told he does not have it, he just prefers his right side.  I agree with

the

> PT.  When he is awake, he easily turns his head both ways and I don't feel

any

> tightness when I tried to do the exercises (before we saw the PT, I tried the

> exercises on my own.)  We are getting our Hanger band this Thurs and I am

also

> concerned with regression when the band comes off.  It's not like I have the

> tort to battle with.  Is there anything I can do to prevent regression if he

> doesn't have tort?  I can't watch him all night when he is sleeping to keep

him

> off of that right side. He is old enough and strong enough now that he turns

the

> way he wants to.  Any suggestions?      Trevor's Mom

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry Ed, but I do think you might be scaring her. It sounds like he does have

full range of motion and his preference in looking to the right is most likely

due to his flat spot and it being more comfortable laying there than on the

rounded side. I really don't think there's any need for xrays, MRIs or neuro

appts at this point. I would start with a second opinion if it would make mom

feel better, and then go from there.

Jake-3.5 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

Raleigh, NC

> >

> > I have a question.  My 5 month old son has always tilted his head to the

right

> > when sleeping, or in the carseat, swing, etc.  he was evaluated for tort

and I

> > was told he does not have it, he just prefers his right side.  I agree with

the

> > PT.  When he is awake, he easily turns his head both ways and I don't feel

any

> > tightness when I tried to do the exercises (before we saw the PT, I tried

the

> > exercises on my own.)  We are getting our Hanger band this Thurs and I am

also

> > concerned with regression when the band comes off.  It's not like I have

the

> > tort to battle with.  Is there anything I can do to prevent regression if

he

> > doesn't have tort?  I can't watch him all night when he is sleeping to keep

him

> > off of that right side. He is old enough and strong enough now that he turns

the

> > way he wants to.  Any suggestions?      Trevor's Mom

> >

> >

> >

> >

>