Update on Marissa & metopic suture ridge

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

We finally had our appointment with the surgeon again. Marissa has

been wearing a doc-band for almost 2 months. Her head shape is

improving somewhat but now she has a raised ridge along her metopic

suture (the one that separates the two front halves of her skull). I

thank those who wrote back saying their children had the same thing.

The surgeon told us this was normal for her and it wasn't caused by

the doc-band. I'm so sceptical about his diagnosis. He said it might

get worse and form along the back of her skull as well but hopefully

won't travel down to her forehead and nose. After doing some

research I found out the ridge could have formed because her head

hasn't been growing very much over the past 4 months. She still has

a large fontanel and I wonder if I take the doc-band off whether it

will flatten out the ridge somewhat.

I was also asked if we would consider a second band for her. Reason

being our clinic will not be using the doc-band after January and

will be making their own version. I'm struggling with that decision

as she's now almost 13 months old and I feel I don't want to put her

through casting again. If she wears the doc-band for another 2

months and her head shape doesn't improve much more, I always have

the option of using their own version. What should I do? Get her

recasted for a doc-band before it's too late or take my chances and

have her try to get more correction in the next two months?

Also, does anyone agree with the surgeons diagnosis? I'm tending to

think the ridge was caused by us tightening the band too much as it

came to us quite large. Am I wrong?

I'd love some advice because I'm struggling so much with trying to

do the right thing. I get to the point where I'd like to remove the

doc-band for good. Other people have commented her head looks much

better. I guess I should post some pictures to have you all decide.

I know it could improve more but what are the chances if I take off

the band the flat spot will round out more. She's now crawling and

is close to walking (hopefully)

Thanks for your help,

Zofia

Marissa (13 mths old) doc-band 17Nov05

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

We finally had our appointment with the surgeon again. Marissa has

been wearing a doc-band for almost 2 months. Her head shape is

improving somewhat but now she has a raised ridge along her metopic

suture (the one that separates the two front halves of her skull). I

thank those who wrote back saying their children had the same thing.

The surgeon told us this was normal for her and it wasn't caused by

the doc-band. I'm so sceptical about his diagnosis. He said it might

get worse and form along the back of her skull as well but hopefully

won't travel down to her forehead and nose. After doing some

research I found out the ridge could have formed because her head

hasn't been growing very much over the past 4 months. She still has

a large fontanel and I wonder if I take the doc-band off whether it

will flatten out the ridge somewhat.

I was also asked if we would consider a second band for her. Reason

being our clinic will not be using the doc-band after January and

will be making their own version. I'm struggling with that decision

as she's now almost 13 months old and I feel I don't want to put her

through casting again. If she wears the doc-band for another 2

months and her head shape doesn't improve much more, I always have

the option of using their own version. What should I do? Get her

recasted for a doc-band before it's too late or take my chances and

have her try to get more correction in the next two months?

Also, does anyone agree with the surgeons diagnosis? I'm tending to

think the ridge was caused by us tightening the band too much as it

came to us quite large. Am I wrong?

I'd love some advice because I'm struggling so much with trying to

do the right thing. I get to the point where I'd like to remove the

doc-band for good. Other people have commented her head looks much

better. I guess I should post some pictures to have you all decide.

I know it could improve more but what are the chances if I take off

the band the flat spot will round out more. She's now crawling and

is close to walking (hopefully)

Thanks for your help,

Zofia

Marissa (13 mths old) doc-band 17Nov05