Where to start?

August 15, 2001

,

Hi, and welcome to the group. My son was dx with torticollis, the tightening of the neck muscle and as a result developed a flat spot. Sounds a lot like your child may have torticollis as well since he was constrained inutero, the muscle was probably stunted from growing and as a result remains tight. The plagio could also be a result from the tight space, or it could have developed from your child constantly favoring one side, therefore creating a "wear" so-to-speak, on that part of the head that is constantly being rubbed "the wrong way"- I want you to check out the torticollis to learn more about tort and getting into to see a physical therapist. If the tort is not worked on, the helmet will be a temporary fix until it comes off and the unresolved tort could put you back to square one. Don't worry- I know this seems overwhelming, but I encourage you to learn from this great group and the tort group and help get on a plan of attack to help your child. I am sure you will get a ton of advice, so ask away on anything, we are here to help you as others have helped us! Good luck!

' Mom

August 15, 2001

,

First let me say welcome to the group! I'm glad you found us. 5 months is a

very good time to start if you are thinking to using a helmet or band. At 5

months either one should work for you. I would start by expressing your

concern about head shape and maybe sharing some information you have learned

here. Then I would suggest asking the ped to refer you to a neurosurgeon or

maybe a cranial facial specialist. This specialist will recommend some

treatment options - maybe repositioning, maybe a helmet or band. The

specialist will also know who makes these devices in your area. You could

always go to cranial technologies homepage and see if there are any " band

friendly " specialists in your area that you could specifically request.

I won't overload you with too much information right now. Also, if your son

has torticollis you should probably request a referral to a physical

therapist to help with the correction. You could also join torticolliskids

(another group) where the focus is support for tort parents.

Please fire away with the questions. Education is the best way to combat fear

and uncertainty. You are catching this at a good age - just keep plugging

away.

Keep us posted and good luck!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

August 15, 2001

Hello,

My name is and I now know that my son has Plagiocephaly

thanks to your postings.

I brought it to my Pediatricians attention at his first appointment,

but he just said his hair will grow in and cover it eventually.

We've been doing neck exercises w/him (the only thing our doctor

recommended)and I tried a wedge when he was 4 mos. old, but by that

time he was rolling right over it. We also do all stimulation on is

left side to get him to look that way. is a 5 month old twin

and was stuck in the same position while in utero the entire

pregnancy. His neck muscles have gained a significant amount of

strength but the flat side of his head is so prominent that when he's

laying down he can't turn his head over the hump that has now formed

on the back of his head. the poor thing can only look to the right

when he's laying on his back.

From what I've read in all of your postings, there should still be

time to rectify this since he's only 5 mos.

My questions is this - Where do I start???? So far, my pediatrician

doesn't think it's a problem. Do I ask him to refer us to someone so

that our insurance will cover it under a referral? I noticed in your

postings that I can call my local helmet maker, but how do I find out

who that is? Would he have to wear a helmet longer? What do you

think the benefits are in the DOC Band as opposed to the helmet?

Any help you could give me would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!!

August 15, 2001

Hi ,

I'm sure you will get lots of responses as we have almost all been in your

position at some point. If your pedi will give you a referral to a

neurosurgeon or craniofacial specialist, I think that is definately the way

to go. Where do you live? It would be ideal if you could get information

from someone on this board - or from the cranial tech site - about a Doc in

your area who is known to be familiar with plagio.

I think the basic difference between the helmets and the Doc or Star Bands

is that the helmets are more passive. The bands will provide pressure on

the prominent areas rather than just allowing an open space for the head to

round into. We have had good luck with a locally made helmet for our son

even though he was 10 months when we started. At 5 mos your results should

be great with either option - just make sure you ask alot of questions about

the orthotists experience with helmets and babies.

Good luck - your son is so lucky to have such a proactive mommy.

Amy

Elijahs mom (protected by foam and plastic since 5/16/01)

Massachusetts

> -----Original Message-----

> From: nbrown@... [sMTP:nbrown@...]

> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 1:18 PM

> Plagiocephaly

> Subject: Where to start?

>

> Hello,

>

> My name is and I now know that my son has Plagiocephaly

> thanks to your postings.

>

> I brought it to my Pediatricians attention at his first appointment,

> but he just said his hair will grow in and cover it eventually.

> We've been doing neck exercises w/him (the only thing our doctor

> recommended)and I tried a wedge when he was 4 mos. old, but by that

> time he was rolling right over it. We also do all stimulation on is

> left side to get him to look that way. is a 5 month old twin

> and was stuck in the same position while in utero the entire

> pregnancy. His neck muscles have gained a significant amount of

> strength but the flat side of his head is so prominent that when he's

> laying down he can't turn his head over the hump that has now formed

> on the back of his head. the poor thing can only look to the right

> when he's laying on his back.

>

> From what I've read in all of your postings, there should still be

> time to rectify this since he's only 5 mos.

>

> My questions is this - Where do I start???? So far, my pediatrician

> doesn't think it's a problem. Do I ask him to refer us to someone so

> that our insurance will cover it under a referral? I noticed in your

> postings that I can call my local helmet maker, but how do I find out

> who that is? Would he have to wear a helmet longer? What do you

> think the benefits are in the DOC Band as opposed to the helmet?

>

> Any help you could give me would greatly be appreciated.

>

> Thanks in Advance!!

>

August 15, 2001

Hi Amy,

Thanks for your response. I'm located about 20 minutes north of Boston. I

actually just got off the phone w/Cranial Technologies in CT., which is the

closest clinic to us. It is definitely going to be a challenge getting to

CT every week if that's what we decide to do, but we're not sure yet. I'm

going to call my pediatrician today to push the matter further. I want him

to understand the urgency of this, and if we need a referral for insurance

purposes I'll point out his ears.

Thanks so much!!

I'll keep you posted!

" Leblanc, Amy " <aleblanc@...> on 08/15/2001 01:38:04 PM

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Subject: RE: Where to start?