United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was wondering how I could tell if my daughter has torticollis. I have done some reading on it and it seems like she may have it, but I am not sure if she does b/c she is able to look to her uninjured side just fine. Although she favors looking to her injured side and doesnt usually look the other way unless I position her that way or gently move her head in that direction. I have mentioned how she needs a molding helmet from having plagiocephaly. This can be caused from torticollis so that is why I am trying to figure out if she has it or not. If she does have it, can our usual PT work on it for her or does she have to see someone else? Thanks in advance!
Krista

Hey Krista, Thomas had Torticollis an the therapist work with him and showed things to do to get him to turn his had. He could also turn his both ways but he always favored one side with his head tilted to the right. He had Primary surgery in October. He is 7 1/2 months its a little better but you can still notice it.

I believe that torticollis is when there is some tightness of the neck -- meaning that it is difficult for the child to look in one direction because of muscle stiffness. Your PT can check to make sure that she has normal active range of motion in her neck. She can also show you some exercises to loosen any tight neck muscles. Hopefully your PT can help figure out if it's torticollis or not.

My daughter (LBPI) also has torticollis. When we started PT our therapist told us about it. We have to do neck stretches when we do rom exercises (several times a day). We also try to get her to look to her left side as much as possible - placing her toys on that side and when we talk or play with her we try to be on that side. She is 5 months old now and has improved alot. She also will be wearing a cranial band to reshape her head. We haven't gotten it yet but it should be ready soon. I would be interested in hearing more about your experience with torticollis and the banding if you do it.

Leslie

Its likly that some children with BPI can have Torticollis. My son has this problem . I observed this first when he was about ten days old Our PT also observed and said he has Torticollis. Since then he is doing some message kind of thing and he told us not to keep my son on one side or allow him to keep is face on one side. Generally he liked to face on the non BPI side, we move his head on the both direction .He is doing better now. He moves his head on both direction now. Its possible to recover from this condition . You should also see the Peadiatric Doctor to satisfy yourself and get proper traetment.

Munam

we helped Maia's torticollis but playing music on the opposite side - by facing her crib in the opposite direction forcing her to look in the 'tight' direction...

There was this crib toy we purchased which clinched it though.... I forgot the name of it but I think it was as Fisher Price toy... it attached to the crib and it played music and had a little light show... and it actually came with a "remote" so that you could start it without going near the crib. She had NO CHOICE but to look the 'tight' way to see it - it was SO interesting for her. That in itself made the biggest difference! (wouldn't it be great if it was all that easy?)

-francine