Re: WWYD -- don't know whether to graduate or not?

[Guest guest]

I would say that they should provide a new band at no charge. It would

be one thing if the ortho told you xyz would happen, and only the

brachy would be corrected. However it sounds like it is all a surpirse

to him too. A new helmet would help correct the asymmetry. Also

depending what your brachy number is you might get additional

correction there.

-christine

sydney 2 yrs starband grad

>

> My son Marco's primary condition when we started this process was

> brachy -- very flat in the back and football shaped. He also had

> plagio with his flat spot on the left side. We got his Starband 3

> months ago and saw dramatic results the first month -- his overall

> head shape was much better and his assymetry went from 8 mm to 4 mm.

> But then I noticed that his helmet was always shifted over to one

> side and when I readjusted it, it would always go back. I called the

> othotist and he said it was ok as long as it wasn't covering Marco's

> eye or anything. At Marco's 2-month visit, his brachy was continuing

> to improve but we had a little regression on the plagio side -- he

> was about 6 mm of assymetry now. I kept asking about the helmet

> shifting and said that repositioning was impossible. The ortho said

> it was ok. Well, we just got back from the ortho for Marco's 3-month

> appt and, once again, the brachy is basically resolved but there's

> more assymetry -- 7.5 mm (back to where we started!). I told the

> ortho that I thought that the shifted helmet was the culprit and he

> agreed. He shaved out a little bit of it from the back to create

> some space for the flat area to grow out. But he said that Marco

> would only be able to wear the helmet for a couple more weeks because

> it's getting too small and not sitting right in general.

>

> My Q is, if you were me, would you get him refitted for a new helmet

> (with a new orthotist) to correct the assymetry? The flat spot is

> not that noticable but his ped said it would be nice to correct it.

> And I can still see it. I'm also worried that it'll get worse when

> the helmet comes off. At the same time, I wonder if I'm just being a

> perfectionist? Marco's 8 months old, BTW.

>

[Guest guest]

I think it would be worth trying to get a second band at no charge.

From everything I've heard, it's usually easier to correct the

plagio and brachy is slightly slower. If you saw great correction in

the brachy and regression in the plagio, that just doesn't seem

right. Hopefully if you can get a second band with the same ortho,

that should take care of it, and you won't need to go elsewhere (and

pay extra). Good luck!

Jake-20m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DOCBand 13 weeks)

Jordan-4

>

> My son Marco's primary condition when we started this process was

> brachy -- very flat in the back and football shaped. He also had

> plagio with his flat spot on the left side. We got his Starband 3

> months ago and saw dramatic results the first month -- his overall

> head shape was much better and his assymetry went from 8 mm to 4

mm.

> But then I noticed that his helmet was always shifted over to one

> side and when I readjusted it, it would always go back. I called

the

> othotist and he said it was ok as long as it wasn't covering

Marco's

> eye or anything. At Marco's 2-month visit, his brachy was

continuing

> to improve but we had a little regression on the plagio side -- he

> was about 6 mm of assymetry now. I kept asking about the helmet

> shifting and said that repositioning was impossible. The ortho

said

> it was ok. Well, we just got back from the ortho for Marco's 3-

month

> appt and, once again, the brachy is basically resolved but there's

> more assymetry -- 7.5 mm (back to where we started!). I told the

> ortho that I thought that the shifted helmet was the culprit and

he

> agreed. He shaved out a little bit of it from the back to create

> some space for the flat area to grow out. But he said that Marco

> would only be able to wear the helmet for a couple more weeks

because

> it's getting too small and not sitting right in general.

>

> My Q is, if you were me, would you get him refitted for a new

helmet

> (with a new orthotist) to correct the assymetry? The flat spot is

> not that noticable but his ped said it would be nice to correct

it.

> And I can still see it. I'm also worried that it'll get worse

when

> the helmet comes off. At the same time, I wonder if I'm just

being a

> perfectionist? Marco's 8 months old, BTW.

>

[Guest guest]

For those recommending that I get a new band from them free of charge --

don't you think it would be better to go to a new orthotist? I know

the cost is enormous but isn't it better to shoulder some of the burden

in order to work with someone more talented?

[Guest guest]

Yes, if you can go with someone more experienced that would be even

better.

-christine

sydney 2 yrs starband grad

>

> For those recommending that I get a new band from them free of charge --

> don't you think it would be better to go to a new orthotist? I know

> the cost is enormous but isn't it better to shoulder some of the burden

> in order to work with someone more talented?

>

[Guest guest]

I personally would go to Cranial Tech and get a doc band. (If you do not want to try another starband with this ortho.) Cranial Technologies are the creators of the DOC band and only do bands. This lends to the orthos genarally treating hundreds of children a year and being very well versed in how to cut and fit the band. I found them to be amazing. Go for the free consult and see what they say. Where are you located? We went to Cranial Tech in NJ they are amazing. I know other mothers on the board will have experience if you live out of the NJ area and can recommend a center near your home. Good luck. Tammy

From: s_krupp <s_krupp@...>Subject: Re: WWYD -- don't know whether to graduate or not?Plagiocephaly Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 4:10 PM

For those recommending that I get a new band from them free of charge --don't you think it would be better to go to a new orthotist? I know the cost is enormous but isn't it better to shoulder some of the burden in order to work with someone more talented?

[Guest guest]

I guess I was saying to try for a second StarBand with the same ortho

because you did see some level of success with him. Maybe it was just

a fluke that it was adjusted wrong and the plagio regressed. Since he

was able to correct the brachy, he seems somewhat skilled (at least

compared to some of the other bad stories I've heard where the head

just got worse in general or had no change at all). But if you have a

bad feeling about the whole process and don't think you want to stick

around with this ortho, then definitely look into another one. What

are your other banding options? Where are you located? Maybe we can

help with some referrals.

Jake-20m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DOCBand 13 weeks)

Jordan-4

>

> For those recommending that I get a new band from them free of

charge --

> don't you think it would be better to go to a new orthotist? I

know

> the cost is enormous but isn't it better to shoulder some of the

burden

> in order to work with someone more talented?

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for offering about referrals. I live in Long Island, NY. I

went for a consult for Cranial Tech in Paramus, NJ and found them to

be very professional and knowledgeable but driving to Paramus every

week was too much and also I was going to have to pay about $2500 out

of pocket.

So I've made a consultation appt for tomorrow with Kidi-splint

(Brooklyn) to see what they think.

If anyone happens to know anyone great in the NYC/Long Island area, I

would greatly appreciate it!

> >

> > For those recommending that I get a new band from them free of

> charge --

> > don't you think it would be better to go to a new orthotist? I

> know

> > the cost is enormous but isn't it better to shoulder some of the

> burden

> > in order to work with someone more talented?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

If that is an option for you then you have to do what you are comfortable with. If you don't feel that this ortho can treat your son properly then you have to do what you have to do. Good luck with the choice.

Sybil

From: s_krupp <s_krupp@...>Subject: Re: WWYD -- don't know whether to graduate or not?Plagiocephaly Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 4:10 PM

For those recommending that I get a new band from them free of charge --don't you think it would be better to go to a new orthotist? I know the cost is enormous but isn't it better to shoulder some of the burden in order to work with someone more talented?