Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling with over the last month. My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and suggested repositioning. For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our trip and we will pick it up April 25. The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this journey alone :>) Molly Novato, California Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April , 3 , 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling with over the last month. My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and suggested repositioning. For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our trip and we will pick it up April 25. The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this journey alone :>) Molly Novato, California Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April , 3 , 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Congratulations on your decision to band your son. It is too band your pt didn't say anything about repo. I am glad that your insurance company will cover 80%. I am sure this will all be over before you know it. I know the 4 months that our son was in his band just flew by. I don't blame you for being concerned about going on vacation right after you get it. He is still quite young so I'm sure it will be okay if you wait a little. Have a nice vacation. Keep us posted. Haylee Mom to andre doc band grad --- In Plagiocephaly , " Foley, Molly " <mafoley@...> wrote: > > To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling > with over the last month. > > My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were > immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician > and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they > just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and > recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months > old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was > developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our > paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need > and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic > surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into > detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and > suggested repositioning. > > For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the > nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription > from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The > STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm > asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning > and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. > > During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get > a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that > we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan > report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' > measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he > recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know > someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he > recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted > to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son > didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't > automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. > > So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan > evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the > STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative > Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate > that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We > also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover > 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as > possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days > before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any > problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his > scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our > trip and we will pick it up April 25. > > The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm > hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is > mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). > > I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all > the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far > has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this > journey alone :>) > > Molly > Novato, California > Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April > , 3 > , 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Congratulations on your decision to band your son. It is too band your pt didn't say anything about repo. I am glad that your insurance company will cover 80%. I am sure this will all be over before you know it. I know the 4 months that our son was in his band just flew by. I don't blame you for being concerned about going on vacation right after you get it. He is still quite young so I'm sure it will be okay if you wait a little. Have a nice vacation. Keep us posted. Haylee Mom to andre doc band grad --- In Plagiocephaly , " Foley, Molly " <mafoley@...> wrote: > > To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling > with over the last month. > > My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were > immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician > and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they > just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and > recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months > old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was > developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our > paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need > and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic > surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into > detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and > suggested repositioning. > > For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the > nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription > from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The > STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm > asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning > and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. > > During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get > a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that > we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan > report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' > measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he > recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know > someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he > recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted > to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son > didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't > automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. > > So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan > evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the > STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative > Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate > that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We > also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover > 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as > possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days > before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any > problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his > scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our > trip and we will pick it up April 25. > > The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm > hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is > mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). > > I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all > the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far > has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this > journey alone :>) > > Molly > Novato, California > Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April > , 3 > , 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Hi Molly, I'm sure a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Are you breathing a sigh of relief? :-) Enjoy your vacation! Let us know when his band is in. > > To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling > with over the last month. > > My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were > immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician > and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they > just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and > recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months > old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was > developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our > paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need > and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic > surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into > detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and > suggested repositioning. > > For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the > nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription > from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The > STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm > asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning > and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. > > During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get > a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that > we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan > report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' > measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he > recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know > someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he > recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted > to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son > didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't > automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. > > So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan > evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the > STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative > Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate > that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We > also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover > 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as > possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days > before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any > problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his > scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our > trip and we will pick it up April 25. > > The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm > hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is > mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). > > I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all > the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far > has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this > journey alone :>) > > Molly > Novato, California > Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April > , 3 > , 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Hi Molly, I'm sure a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Are you breathing a sigh of relief? :-) Enjoy your vacation! Let us know when his band is in. > > To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling > with over the last month. > > My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were > immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician > and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they > just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and > recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months > old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was > developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our > paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need > and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic > surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into > detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and > suggested repositioning. > > For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the > nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription > from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The > STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm > asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning > and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. > > During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get > a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that > we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan > report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' > measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he > recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know > someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he > recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted > to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son > didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't > automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. > > So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan > evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the > STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative > Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate > that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We > also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover > 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as > possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days > before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any > problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his > scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our > trip and we will pick it up April 25. > > The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm > hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is > mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). > > I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all > the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far > has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this > journey alone :>) > > Molly > Novato, California > Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April > , 3 > , 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 Molly, You really did a great job " deliberating " . It sounds like you were very thorough and got some good advice. My daughter started at 10 mm and had tort. She was banded at 7 1/2 months and will graduate on Tuesday. It's a great age for banding and good correction. Keep us posted and have fun on vacation na, DOC Grad X2 Kiersten, DOC Band 1/10/06, Tort www.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html --- In Plagiocephaly , " Foley, Molly " <mafoley@...> wrote: > > To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling > with over the last month. > > My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were > immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician > and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they > just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and > recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months > old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was > developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our > paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need > and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic > surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into > detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and > suggested repositioning. > > For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the > nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription > from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The > STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm > asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning > and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. > > During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get > a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that > we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan > report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' > measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he > recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know > someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he > recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted > to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son > didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't > automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. > > So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan > evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the > STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative > Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate > that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We > also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover > 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as > possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days > before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any > problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his > scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our > trip and we will pick it up April 25. > > The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm > hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is > mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). > > I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all > the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far > has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this > journey alone :>) > > Molly > Novato, California > Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April > , 3 > , 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 Molly, You really did a great job " deliberating " . It sounds like you were very thorough and got some good advice. My daughter started at 10 mm and had tort. She was banded at 7 1/2 months and will graduate on Tuesday. It's a great age for banding and good correction. Keep us posted and have fun on vacation na, DOC Grad X2 Kiersten, DOC Band 1/10/06, Tort www.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html --- In Plagiocephaly , " Foley, Molly " <mafoley@...> wrote: > > To band or not to band? That is the question that we have been grappling > with over the last month. > > My son, Nicolas, was diagnosed with torticollis at 2 months old. We were > immediately referred for physical therapy. Unfortunately our paediatrician > and physical therapist never said anything about repositioning him; they > just offered suggestions on how to get him to turn his head more and > recommended exercises to help with it. It wasn't until my son was 4 months > old that the paediatrician and physical therapist noticed that he was > developing a flat spot on the back, right side of his head. Fortunately our > paediatrician has been very good about getting us the referrals that we need > and referred us to a plastic surgeon for an evaluation. We saw a plastic > surgeon but all he said was that there was a flat spot; he didn't go into > detail as to how severe or how mild it was, didn't take any measurements and > suggested repositioning. > > For better results and to get baseline measurements I took my son to the > nearest STARscanner location to get a head scan done (we had a prescription > from the plastic surgeon even though he didn't think we needed a band). The > STARscan results showed that Nicolas had mild-to-moderate plagio (10.8 mm > asymmetry). My plan was to try another 5 weeks of aggressive repositioning > and then go back for another scan to see if it was making any difference. > > During that five week period I decided to see another plastic surgeon to get > a second opinion. The doctor was great, much better than the first one that > we saw. He took measurements of Nicolas' head and reviewed the STARscan > report that I had taken a few weeks earlier. He said that Nicolas' > measurements were borderline mild/moderate but that given his torticollis he > recommended that we go ahead with getting the STARband for him. I know > someone else who saw the same doctor for an evaluation and in her case he > recommended not to get the band. (I think part of the reason why I wanted > to see this particular doctor was that I was hoping he would say that my son > didn't need a band either) This makes me feel confident that he doesn't > automatically recommend banding a child with plagio. > > So, after much consideration, we scraped our plans to get another STARscan > evaluation and decided that we are going to go ahead and get Nicolas the > STARband. We will get it through Center for Independent Rehabilitative > Services (CIRS) which is in located in Oakland, CA. We are very fortunate > that we have a facility located so close to us (30 miles from home). We > also found out that our insurance (Kaiser-Northern California) will cover > 80% of the cost of the band. I would love to get him in the band as soon as > possible but if we get scanned this week it will arrive just a few days > before we leave on vacation and I don't want to worry about having any > problems with it while we are out of town. So Nicolas is going in for his > scan April 13 and the band will be ready for him when we return from our > trip and we will pick it up April 25. > > The orthotist thought that Nicolas would need to use it for 4-6 months. I'm > hoping that it will be closer to 4 months given that his case is > mild/moderate and he is getting the band at a young age (6.5 months). > > I'm sure that as the time comes closer I will have many questions for all > the experienced parents on this board. Everything that I have read so far > has been so helpful. It's nice knowing that we aren't going through this > journey alone :>) > > Molly > Novato, California > Nicolas, 5.5 months, tort & plagio, getting STARband in April > , 3 > , 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 Hello. Since he is 5 months old, you could still work on the repositioning and see if you can get some more improvement. However, around 6 months old, a baby's growth starts to slow down and repositioning isn't usually very effective at that point. So, it's best to make the decision one way or the other by about 6 mo. 12mm of cranial vault asymmetry is considered moderate and his cephalic index is just a little higher than " average " . My Daughter started at 14mm (cranial vault asymm) and after the 11 weeks in a band she was down to 4mm. Does your Son have any ear and/or facial asymmetry? Many people band mainly to correct ear and facial asymm, even if the plagio itself doesn't look all that bad. The bands usually help with the facial and ear asymm. My Daughter's ear asymm went from 7mm to 1.5mm with the band. The best advice I can offer is for you to look at his head and decide of you would be Ok with his current head shape if it never improved/changed. If the answer is no, then you probably want to start the ball rolling on getting him a band. Good luck with your decision and keep us updated. Jen (almost 28 mo), tort resolved, Hanger Band Grad (4.75 years) > > I hope you all can help...my husband and I are having a hard time > deciding whether or not to get the band for our son. When he was 3 > months, we noticed he had a severe flat spot on his head. We started > repositioning, and for the first month it did little, but at 4 months, > we saw a lot of improvement for the next 2 weeks. We took him to > Cranial Technologies, and they said he could go either way. His > measurements are: > > Cranial Vault Assymetry: 12 mm > Cephalic Index: 89.4 > > He just turned 5 months old...we're not sure if we're seeing much more > progress or not...we took a picture at 4.5 months, and I think I see > an improvement but my husband doesn't. Any advice? I've been doing a > lot of research and I don't want to put him in the band if it's going > to go away on it's own. My son has actually developed a preference > for sleeping on the non-flat side of his head, so repositioning isn't > very difficult for us. > > Thanks for any help!!! > Carol > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 Our son ended up having two DOC Bands from age 5 months to 10 months old. It was the best thing we could've ever spent our time and money on. He is now almost 16 months old and his head looks wonderful. There was *some* extra rounding out after the band, but I feel if we hadn't corrected it so much with the band he would not look the same today. Just my 2 cents. :-) Audrey --- Carol <sparky72333@...> wrote: > I hope you all can help...my husband and I are > having a hard time > deciding whether or not to get the band for our son. > When he was 3 > months, we noticed he had a severe flat spot on his > head. We started > repositioning, and for the first month it did > little, but at 4 months, > we saw a lot of improvement for the next 2 weeks. > We took him to > Cranial Technologies, and they said he could go > either way. His > measurements are: > > Cranial Vault Assymetry: 12 mm > Cephalic Index: 89.4 > > He just turned 5 months old...we're not sure if > we're seeing much more > progress or not...we took a picture at 4.5 months, > and I think I see > an improvement but my husband doesn't. Any advice? > I've been doing a > lot of research and I don't want to put him in the > band if it's going > to go away on it's own. My son has actually > developed a preference > for sleeping on the non-flat side of his head, so > repositioning isn't > very difficult for us. > > Thanks for any help!!! > Carol > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Music Unlimited Access over 1 million songs. http://music./unlimited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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