Torticollis

Does anyone's DC have torticollis? It's a condition where the muscles in his neck are tight, so he prefers looking in one direction. The treatment is physical therapy and we just started this week. I know it isn't a serious condition, but it is still a bit upsetting when you hear that DC isn't perfect. He's still perfect to us!

Re: Torticollis

Of course he's perfect! Torticollis is really no big deal. My DS had it and had to go to PT 3x a week (after about 2 months it was decreased to 2x, then only once). He actually loved it. They just do some stretching exercises and some muscle building techniques. Each appointment lasted only about a half hour. There are no lasting effects of it - you would never know anything was wrong. Just be careful to try and position his head so its not always in the same position (so he doesn't get a flat spot on his head). I used to roll up a receiving blanket and stick it on the side of his head to keep it straight. So its really nothing to worry about at all.

Re: Torticollis

I'm sending you an FM.

Re: Torticollis

Re: Torticollis

My oldest daughter had it. I didn't even know what it was until one of my friends asked me...does your daughter always tilt her head like that. Sure enough, I mentioned it to my pediatrician and he suggested PT and we went for about 3 months (if that) and it eventually went away.

She's 2 1/2 now and not a sign of it.

My youngest did not have it.

Re: Torticollis

Ella had a preference for one side and the ped mentioned it may be torticollis, though a minor case. He suggested moving her head to the other side to stretch the shortened muscle, when they were warm and relaxed after a bath.

We did that a few times, but within a week of mentioning it to him, she fixed herself. I think once she got better head control and was more interested in the things around her, she needed to see the world on all sides of her.

eta: we also moved the toys she liked looking at to the other side of her bouncey seat / gymini, etc, so that she would look the other way.

Message edited 10/24/2006 10:45:24 AM.

Re: Torticollis

My 4 yr old had this as a baby and I agree that its upsetting at the time but I can assure you they all have their "issues" and this one is really not horrid at all. He got PT when he was 6-7 mths old and you'd never know he had any problem. We also did stuff at home where I'd make sure I'd place him in a position where he was forced to look the other way (like on the changing table or in the crib when he wanted to see me, Id put him the way that made him have to stretch his neck the opposite way) and even gently turn his head and hold the stretch for a few seconds a couple times a day. Your PT will tell you what you can do. My DS had a large head (98 %) as well so it made tummy time a miserable time for him too but like I said, the PT helped alot. His was a mild case, his head wasnt at a 45 degree angle or anything like that but he did have a noticable tilt. After he was diagnosed, before that I really didnt notice it. HTH FM me if you have any Q's

Message edited 10/24/2006 2:33:25 PM.

Re: Torticollis

Thanks everyone!!

Re: Torticollis

Posted by Kate

Posted by Tfor3

Of course he's perfect! Torticollis is really no big deal. My DS had it and had to go to PT 3x a week (after about 2 months it was decreased to 2x, then only once). He actually loved it. They just do some stretching exercises and some muscle building techniques. Each appointment lasted only about a half hour. There are no lasting effects of it - you would never know anything was wrong. Just be careful to try and position his head so its not always in the same position (so he doesn't get a flat spot on his head). I used to roll up a receiving blanket and stick it on the side of his head to keep it straight. So its really nothing to worry about at all.

Thanks!!!