RE: [SPAM] confused after visit with orthotist -- also, please help with measurements

[Guest guest]

The difference in your son's right-anterior to left-posterior (14.8)

and his left-anterior to right-posterior (14) reflects the the asymmetry of the head and the severity of

plagio. In his case it is 14.8-14=0.8 cm or 8 mm.

normal

0-3 mm

very

mild <6 mm

mild

- 6-10 mm

moderate

- 10-15 mm

severe

- 15+ mm

The measurement of

side-to-side (ear-to-ear) (13.3) and front-to-back (14.2) measurement reflect

the severity of Brachycephaly which is measured by the Cephalic

Ratio = Cranial Breadth/Cranial Length. In your son’s case it would

be 13.3/14.2 = 93.7%

ideal

ratio - 78%

normal

- 73-83%

moderate

- 83.1% to 87.9%

severe

- 88% and higher

It

is entirely possible that it could take 6 months to fix. STARbands are

made to last 6 months so a lot of orthos will quote you a full 6 months of

treatment to be on the conservative side. Our ortho told us 6 months and

my son outgrew his band after 4.5 months. As for the once-per-month

check-ups/adjustments that sounds a little too spaced out to me.

Generally people go in every 2-3 weeks. If you aren’t comfortable

waiting that long between appointments ask to be seen sooner. Also, if

your son’s head grows quickly he will definitely need to be seen more

frequently. You’ll know if there is a lot of growth if red spots

start appearing on his head showing that there is pressure on it.

Molly

California

Nicolas, 2, tort & plagio, STARband 4/24/06-9/12/06,

Graduate!

, 4.75

, 8

From: Plagiocephaly

[mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of s_krupp

Sent: 23 January 2008 09:15

Plagiocephaly

Subject: [sPAM] confused after visit with orthotist -- also,

please help with measurements

I met with an orthotist today who said my

almost-5-mo. old should

get the Starband. He said that we would come in for once-per-month

check-ups/adjustments. Is that often enough? He also said he

estimated 6 months wih the helmet which seems like a long time to me.

Also, I don't understand how the measurements work. My son's right-

anterior to left-posterior is 14.8 and his left-anterior to right-

posterior is 14. His side-to-side (ear-to-ear) is 13.3 and front-to-

back is 14.2. Circumference is 45.2. Can you guys please explain

what the significance of these numbers is? I understand that the .8

difference between the first two numbers needs to decrease, but

that's about it. Also, does it sound like it should take 6 months

of wearing the helmet to correct this?

Thank you!

Shana

(Queens, NY)