Guest guest Posted December 31, 2001 Report Share Posted December 31, 2001 Hi : I'm so sorry to h ear about Aimee's lack of improvement. You & I have talked before so you know Abby's & my story. After 3 mos time, you should have definitely seen some good improvement by now. My orthotist kept giving me the " growth spurt " excuse to why Abby hadn't seen any progress in her almost 3 mos time in her STARband. Abby did grow over the time she had spent in the band. It just didn't fit her right. Has Aimee grown at all? I could tell Abby did cuz she was growing out of so many of her clothes. At this point, I would suggest maybe getting Aimee casted again for a new band. Perhaps this band she's in currently is not properly fitted. I kept thinkng Abby's STARband fit her right at first, but it definitely did not. Some children do wear a band til they're 18 mos old (some actually til they are 2). I'd be questioning your orthotist with very good detail at your next appt.. 3 mos with such little improvement is not common. Sorry again! Please keep us posted or contact me with any more questions. Debbie Abby's mom 3/1/00 STAR 11/7/00-1/26/01 DOCgrad 2/16/01-6/22/01 MI > Hello, > > My daughter Aimee went into her STARband in Mid October at 9mos. old > She has been in it for 3 mos. After wearing it for 3 months, > the orthotist has measure that there has been only a 3/8 " > change in her flat side, and no increase onthe other side in head > size. I did not feel bumps and I'm not sure that we're getting the > results that we expected. Since her hair is longer, it is less > noticeable, but the flatness is still there. Is it true that some > kids have to wear the band up to 18mos?? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > Aimee's Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2002 Report Share Posted January 1, 2002 Hi Aimee's Mom! After wearing the band for three months, you definitely should have seen results by now. Have you had any tests done to rule out cranio? If cranio has been ruled out already then you should give your ortho the third degree. If Aimee has been growing in every other aspect, then her head should be rounding by now. Make sure the band is fitting her properly, or possibly get another band. Is there a way that you could get a secong opinion from a different ortho, or even speak with parents that have used the same ortho as you? Last but certainly not least, is there a Cranial Technologies nearby you that could evaluate Aimee for you? I'm sorry to hear that you aren't getting the results that you have hoped for, but there is still time. Please keep us updated. Happy New Year! Niki Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads) Phila., PA > Hello, > > My daughter Aimee went into her STARband in Mid October at 9mos. old > She has been in it for 3 mos. After wearing it for 3 months, > the orthotist has measure that there has been only a 3/8 " > change in her flat side, and no increase onthe other side in head > size. I did not feel bumps and I'm not sure that we're getting the > results that we expected. Since her hair is longer, it is less > noticeable, but the flatness is still there. Is it true that some > kids have to wear the band up to 18mos?? > > Any advice is appreciated. > > Aimee's Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2002 Report Share Posted January 19, 2002 Hi Debbie, Thanks for responding. When I sent you pictures, we started to notice some change after 2 mos, but not much more after 3 months. Aimee is now 1 yr old. I haven't seen the growth spurt that others are writing about however. Aimee still wears 12 mos. clothes, and 3-1/2 shoe size. Also, she has only 2 bottom teeth still, and not quite walking yet. Could that mean that I haven't seen the big growth spurt yet? The STARband doesn't seem to have gotten too much tighter, which tells me that her head size hasn't changed much,just a little bigger. The orthotist did say the the circumference would increase by 1/2 " or so from 9 to 12 months. The overall shape of her head has changed, but flatness still exists on one side. We have an appointment with her pediatrician on Monday and will find out her head size change. It couldn't be that her helmet prevents her head from growing as it should, would it? Perhaps we need another casting? Would it be out of pocket cost if insurance paid for the first one? > > Hello, > > > > My daughter Aimee went into her STARband in Mid October at 9mos. old > > She has been in it for 3 mos. After wearing it for 3 months, > > the orthotist has measure that there has been only a 3/8 " > > change in her flat side, and no increase onthe other side in head > > size. I did not feel bumps and I'm not sure that we're getting the > > results that we expected. Since her hair is longer, it is less > > noticeable, but the flatness is still there. Is it true that some > > kids have to wear the band up to 18mos?? > > > > Any advice is appreciated. > > > > Aimee's Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2002 Report Share Posted January 19, 2002 I had the same worries about the band not letting Livia's head grow as much as it was supposed to. We had her head measured and the measurements were not increasing as much as they were supposed to(according to a health nurse) Tim litle field posted some information awhile ago regarding this problem. There is nothing to worry about. As the head shape changes, so do the measurements. They may not seem to be increasing as much as you think they are supposed to, but they are, it is just that with the shape change, where the head jutted and bulged out before, is more smooth, therefore making the measurements different. I will look in the archives to find the info that Tim posted a few months back(Isn't he a tremendous help!?) When I find it, i will copy and paste it into a new message for you to read. Anne Mom of Livia DOC Grad 12\01 Canada Re: Aimee's STARband Hi Debbie,Thanks for responding. When I sent you pictures, we started to notice some change after 2 mos, but not much more after 3 months.Aimee is now 1 yr old. I haven't seen the growth spurt that othersare writing about however. Aimee still wears 12 mos. clothes, and 3-1/2 shoe size. Also, she has only 2 bottom teeth still, and notquite walking yet. Could that mean that I haven't seen the big growth spurt yet? The STARband doesn't seem to have gotten too much tighter, which tells me that her head size hasn't changed much,just a little bigger. The orthotist did say the the circumference would increase by 1/2" or so from 9 to 12 months.The overall shape of her head has changed, but flatness still exists on one side. We have an appointment with her pediatricianon Monday and will find out her head size change. It couldn't be that her helmet prevents her head from growing as it should, would it? Perhaps we need another casting? Would it be out of pocketcost if insurance paid for the first one?> > Hello,> > > > My daughter Aimee went into her STARband in Mid October at 9mos. old> > She has been in it for 3 mos. After wearing it for 3 months,> > the orthotist has measure that there has been only a 3/8" > > change in her flat side, and no increase onthe other side in head> > size. I did not feel bumps and I'm not sure that we're getting the> > results that we expected. Since her hair is longer, it is less > > noticeable, but the flatness is still there. Is it true that some> > kids have to wear the band up to 18mos??> > > > Any advice is appreciated.> > > > Aimee's MomFor more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2002 Report Share Posted January 20, 2002 Hi : It is possible Aimee has not grown much - she does sound like a petite little thing . Which would give you some home that she will be hitting a spurt soon. It's so hard to know. After 12 mos age, you can still get good correction. That's when Abby began her DOCband treatment with very good results for her severity. I still do not understand why your orthotist originally told you you'd only get 50% correction at best. That's what he had told you before right or am I losing my mind? I seem to remember you telling me that in a prior email. That to me is just crazy for him to tell you that. Aimee began her treatment at a good age, still young enough for even 100% correction (it is possible) given the proper growth spurts, etc...... I would check into a 2nd band. It's hard to say whether or not your ins. would cover a 2nd band. Definitely look into that. Aimee could still get good improvement in the mos to come. I doubt her band is delaying any head growth. But I would look into it with your pediatrician to be safe. Please let us know what your pediatrician tells you at your appt Monday. I hope Aimee grows soon! Little peanut :-) Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad MI > Hi Debbie, > Thanks for responding. When I sent you pictures, we started to > notice some change after 2 mos, but not much more after 3 months. > Aimee is now 1 yr old. I haven't seen the growth spurt that others > are writing about however. Aimee still wears 12 mos. clothes, and > 3-1/2 shoe size. Also, she has only 2 bottom teeth still, and not > quite walking yet. Could that mean that I haven't seen the big > growth spurt yet? The STARband doesn't seem to have gotten too > much tighter, which tells me that her head size hasn't changed > much,just a little bigger. The orthotist did say the the > circumference would increase by 1/2 " or so from 9 to 12 months. > The overall shape of her head has changed, but flatness still > exists on one side. We have an appointment with her pediatrician > on Monday and will find out her head size change. It couldn't be > that her helmet prevents her head from growing as it should, would > it? Perhaps we need another casting? Would it be out of pocket > cost if insurance paid for the first one? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2002 Report Share Posted January 27, 2002 HI Debbie, You're not losing your mind, and thanks for responding!!!! Aimee is now 20-1/2 lbs,and 30-1/2 inches long, right at about 50% for overall growth. Got more news...we had a major helmet adjustment last Thursday by the orthtist. I wanted just that. The velcro ends were open by about 1/2 inch, so her head must have grown, it just started to seem tight around the top rim on the flat side and tight over the ears on the same side so suddenly. Anyway, the orthotist removed about 1/4 inch of foam from the one side, and the helmet now closed again. He said to treat it like a new helmet, looking for any redness the first week. Nothing has appeared yet, and the helmet is much lighter now. It looks like he did a good job adjusting it to fit, but how would you ever know, since it is not a new mould. Since there is a hole in the flat side of the helmet for measurement, there is relief on the flat side, which is good. We will continue to use the helmen another 2-3 months, and see what results happen. I'm not sure that a 2nd casting is needed just at this point, we'll just have to see. I'll keep you posted. My husband and pediatrician say they have noticed significant improvment in her head shape, but, and I am starting to feel like the perfectionist, but why not? The rounder her head, the better. I would guess the improvement is probably about 30% right now, maybe better. The lower half of her head looks much rounder, but the upper still has flatness. That's why I was concerned that the helmet may be too tight and reversing growth, but not anymore. We never did see any " bumpiness " due to growth on her head, though. I'll keep you posted. > > Hi Debbie, > > Thanks for responding. When I sent you pictures, we started to > > notice some change after 2 mos, but not much more after 3 months. > > Aimee is now 1 yr old. I haven't seen the growth spurt that others > > are writing about however. Aimee still wears 12 mos. clothes, and > > 3-1/2 shoe size. Also, she has only 2 bottom teeth still, and not > > quite walking yet. Could that mean that I haven't seen the big > > growth spurt yet? The STARband doesn't seem to have gotten too > > much tighter, which tells me that her head size hasn't changed > > much,just a little bigger. The orthotist did say the the > > circumference would increase by 1/2 " or so from 9 to 12 months. > > The overall shape of her head has changed, but flatness still > > exists on one side. We have an appointment with her pediatrician > > on Monday and will find out her head size change. It couldn't be > > that her helmet prevents her head from growing as it should, would > > it? Perhaps we need another casting? Would it be out of pocket > > cost if insurance paid for the first one? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2002 Report Share Posted January 28, 2002 : That's terrific the orthotist made an adjustment! That means things are coming along. Abby's head also got the most improvement towards the bottom of her head - her head is still flatter towards the top (better than it was though!), just like you're describing with Aimee's head. We all strive for the most correction we can get so don't feel bad for wanting more. Keep us updated on her improvement over the next few mos.. Tell the little peanut to start growing more! Debbie abby's mom DOCgrad MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.