STARband vs. DOCband

[Guest guest]

My baby's name is Abby Lee (7 mo old now). She was diagnosed w/plagio and tort

in Dec. We have been doing PT, and got fitted for the STARband in Jan. because

it was locally done. We had seven adjustments within a two week period.

Everytime they would adjust it, it would cause a new red spot. We had one on

her forehead, very bright red, and some around the ear areas. We went to Disney

World and she was wearing it full time by then. When we got back to the room

and took it off, she had a huge hematoma looking thing over her ear. It was

scary!! We didn't let her wear it anymore. It turned into more of a sore and

is still healing. This has been a month and half ago. So we have lost precious

time. The orthotist has been pleasant and has tried to pacify us, but I don't

think he knows what he is doing. STARband wants to recast her when the sore

heals. But now we are considering going to Atlanta (four hour drive one-way),

to get casted for a DOCband. What would you do in our shoes? Get recasted

(STAR) or go for the DOC? My husband thinks the DOC. He says they have messed

up once. He doesn't want to risk another screw-up. Any advice?

Thanks for reading all of this.

LeAnn

Abby Lee's mom

GA

[Guest guest]

Leanne,

Both of my twins wore the STARband, and I was very fortunate not to

have any problems with it. But that is because I had a wonderful

ortho whom I felt very comfortable with and I knew he was

experienced. If you feel that the ortho you are seeing now doesn't

know what he is doing, then don't waste anymore time with him. From

what I have heard, Cranial Tech is a wonderful company. And you will

have piece of mind knowing that the clinicians there deal ONLY with

cranial molding devices. Its unfortunate that you are having

problems with the STARband, in the right hands it is a wonderful

product!

Niki

Kaylie & danny (STAR grads)

Phila., PA

> My baby's name is Abby Lee (7 mo old now). She was diagnosed

w/plagio and tort in Dec. We have been doing PT, and got fitted for

the STARband in Jan. because it was locally done. We had seven

adjustments within a two week period. Everytime they would adjust it,

it would cause a new red spot. We had one on her forehead, very

bright red, and some around the ear areas. We went to Disney World

and she was wearing it full time by then. When we got back to the

room and took it off, she had a huge hematoma looking thing over her

ear. It was scary!! We didn't let her wear it anymore. It turned

into more of a sore and is still healing. This has been a month and

half ago. So we have lost precious time. The orthotist has been

pleasant and has tried to pacify us, but I don't think he knows what

he is doing. STARband wants to recast her when the sore heals. But

now we are considering going to Atlanta (four hour drive one-way), to

get casted for a DOCband. What would you do in our shoes? Get

recasted (STAR) or go for the DOC? My husband thinks the DOC. He

says they have messed up once. He doesn't want to risk another screw-

up. Any advice?

>

> Thanks for reading all of this.

> LeAnn

> Abby Lee's mom

> GA

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Marci and everyone, for your advice. It's just that we just found out

that they have only been doing the STARband since July 01. So, approximately

6-8 mo. Do you think that is enough time to be an expert in something? I

don't. Not to say they won't be good at some point, but I don't want my baby to

be the guinea pig.

We have had another set-back. We thought that our 1st helmet was covered by the

insurance. So we were seeing if they would pay for the DOC band since the 1st

one was faulty. They said they didn't agree to pay for the first one, so, of

course, they are not paying for the change. I see insurance questions all the

time here, but thought we were okay. What do we need to do about that to get

the ball rolling for the DOCband? Need more advice, you experts.

LeAnn

Abby Lee's Mom

Georgia

marcisch@... wrote:

> Hi LeAnn and welcome. If you feel like your ortho is not experienced with

>treating babies with the STARband, then it might be a good idea to make a

>change. The STARband can be a really great product, but only if it is in the

>hands of an experienced orthotist. It is very rare to hear that people have

>trouble with the DOCband (although it has happened) because the CT people do

>nothing but make bands for babies. That is what their people are trained to

>do!

>

>Good luck with your decision!

>

>Marci (Mom to )

>Oklahoma

>

>

>    *

[Guest guest]

Leeann:

What insurance do you have? Appeal, appeal & appeal! Keep fighting

with them to get your band covered.

To get going with Cranial Tech., simply give them a call to make an

appt.. You would probably schedule a casting appt seems how you have

such a long drive. Ask them if they're familiar with your insurance

& if they've had any success with them covering the DOCbands. You

never know.

Best of luck - you'll be happy with the DOCband!

Debbie Abby's mom 3/1/00 STARband 11/7/00-1/26/01 DOCGrad 2/16/01-

6/22/01

MI

>

> > Hi LeAnn and welcome. If you feel like your ortho is not

experienced with

> >treating babies with the STARband, then it might be a good idea to

make a

> >change. The STARband can be a really great product, but only if it

is in the

> >hands of an experienced orthotist. It is very rare to hear that

people have

> >trouble with the DOCband (although it has happened) because the CT

people do

> >nothing but make bands for babies. That is what their people are

trained to

> >do!

> >

> >Good luck with your decision!

> >

> >Marci (Mom to )

> >Oklahoma

> >

> >

> >    *