How often are STARbands adjusted?

[Guest guest]

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 CanadaFor more plagio info, visitwww.plagiocephaly.org/support...

----- 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@...

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 CanadaFor more plagio info, visitwww.plagiocephaly.org/support...