Re: How often are STARbands adjusted?

[Guest guest]

Kendra -

Thank you for getting some more info about this for me. I will take

a copy of this with me when we pick up 's band. I don't

know exactly when it will be ready - sometime late this week. I feel

better prepared to pick it up now that I know what I am supposed to

be getting!

Stasia

> I had written to Dulcey L. at Orthomerica in regards to how often

STARbands should be adjusted. Her response is very informative, and

will hopefully put any concerns to rest. I know I feel better!

> Read on......

> Kendra in Canada

> For more plagio info, visit

> www.plagiocephaly.org/support

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> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Dulcey Lima

> Kendra

> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 10:40 PM

> Subject: Re: message on plagio board...

>

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Kendra

> dulceylima@m...

> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 2:14 PM

> Subject: message on plagio board...

> Hi Kendra!

> It is recommended that infants getting the STARband should be

seen one week after the fitting, and then every two weeks for the

first month. After that, the orthotist determines the frequency of

visits, and that time period ranges from every 2 to every 4 weeks.

This variation in time range is because there are two basic ways that

the STARband is made, and it has an impact on the follow up

protocols. Orthotists who request that the STARband is made

completely symmetrical from the start typically have more time

between visits because the growth is built in to the band from the

very beginning. This makes the need for weekly or biweekly foam

removal less necessary. The downside of this process is that it is

more difficult to keep in place in the early weeks. Other orthotists

request that the STARband be fabricated so that it approaches

symmetry, but may not be completely symmetrical--especially in severe

cases. These infants need to be seen more often--usually every two

to three weeks so that there is always space available for head

growth. There are good results with both methods. In every case,

infants are seen between appointments if there are any problems, and

they are addressed immediately.

>

> I realize that the variations between orthotists and protocols

has created a lot of controversy within the e-group. As clinical

education managers, Deanna Fish and I have been traveling around the

country working directly with orthotists to create more standardized

ways of taking care of infants with postional plagiocephaly and

provide educational seminars. We have learned a great deal from

orthotists in many of the major centers that have been making some

form of cranial remolding orthosis since the 70's, using a variety of

different cranial orthoses and protocols. In no way do we want to

limit the range of treatment and squelch a method that may be

producing excellent results. Within the next six months, it will be

possible to document treatment outcomes using a device marketed by

Orthomerica called the STARscanner. Two scanners will be placed in

two facilities that see a high volume of infants so that research

studies can be performed and published.

>

> The STARscanner uses safe and effective non-invasive laser and

camera technology and will scan the child's head in 1.5 seconds.

This process will replace the casting process, and provide

quantitative documentation at the beginning of treatment, at regular

intervals throughout treatment, and at the end of treatment. There

are so many possibilities for research with this tool. Many

physicians and orthotists are eager to use the STARscanner because

for the first time, there will be a way to consistently document

change. It will probably be late in the summer before the

STARscanner is widely available outside the first two research

centers, and then it will most likely only be available in the

largest centers because it is quite expensive. I bring it up in the

context of your question to let you know that the scanner will be a

way to compare treatment protocols and outcomes, to determine what

method works best, what frequency of appointment is most effective,

and for what group, age, head shape, etc. Hopefully it will even

eliminate the possibility that insurance companies can reject cranial

orthoses because they are " investigative or experimental " .

>

> It is always good to hear from you Kendra. Please let me know if

you need any further clarification, and if there is ever anything I

can do for the e-group.

>

> Sincerely,

> Dulcey Lima C.O. OTR/L

> Orthomerica Products, Inc.

> 630-693-0708

>

>

> Hi Dulcey!

> It's Kendra at the plagio email group.

> This is a quote from a message I just received......

> I did call Lawall today and they told me that the band is

constructed

> under FDA regulations that is why they have to send it out to be

> constructed. They told me that I have to call my doctor and

inform

> him of what is going on and that they (doc) will schedule

> appointments as they see necessary. Lawall told me that I will

come

> in at least once a month to see them, but that I can call at

anytime

> with questions and if the helmet needs adjusting they will fit me

in

> right away.

> I am concerned that this STARband is only being looked at once a

month. Is this right?? I was under the impression that with a

helmet that applies pressure, it had to be checked/adjusted on a

weekly/biweekly schedule. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

> Kendra in Canada

> For more plagio info, visit

> www.plagiocephaly.org/support

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