Below you will find information and resources on some of the common diagnoses we treat.
DID YOU KNOW THE NUMEBR ONE CAUSE OF PLAGIOCEPHALY (FLATTENING OF THE HEAD) IS TORTICOLLIS?
What is Torticollis?
- Torticollis, is tightness and/or weakness of one of the main muscles in the neck, the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) causing your baby’s head to tilt to one side and/or turn to the opposite side
- Third most common orthopedic diagnosis associated with infants
- Present in 1/6 newborns/infants
What Causes Torticollis?
- In-utero positioning problem that compromises baby’s space and movement
- Complicated labor and delivery such as breech/non-typical position, the need for vacuum/forceps-assist, or prolonged labor
- In rare cases, Torticollis is caused by an ocular nerve injury, cervical spinal abnormalities, or genetic condition
What are the Risk Factors?
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Torticollis?
Children typically present with 1 or more of the following:
- Difficulty turning/rotating his/her head to one side
- Difficulty holding his/her head centered when held or at rest; often tilts head closer to one shoulder
- Decreased neck flexibility and/or strength
- Flattening and asymmetrical head shape known as plagiocephaly
- Decreased trunk flexibility and/or strength
- Redness and/or skin breakdown within the neck creases on the affected side
- Small, palpable fibrotic mass (size of a small pea) within the SCM muscle
- Difficulty with early motor skills envelopment such as tummy time, rolling, reaching, crawling and transitional movements
- Asymmetrical facial features (e.g., eye, ear, or cheek can be smaller or shifted forward, jaw can be shifted towards one side)
- Asymmetrical visual development
Early Intervention with Physical Therapy from a skilled pediatric physical therapist is the best treatment intervention for Torticollis and Plagiocephaly in order to achieve optimal results. Physical Therapy is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is part of the Bright Futures 2018 Campaign.*
Physical Therapy Treatment Sessions typically include:
- Gain Flexibility through stretching, Range of Motion, and muscle release techniques
- Gain Strength and endurance with Range of Motion and functional strengthening
- Facilitate the development of symmetrical gross motor skills such as tummy time, reaching, rolling, sitting and crawling.
- Ongoing parent/caregiver education and updating the home program
*The APTA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Congential Muscular Torticollis – Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2018 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline from the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Clinical-Practice-Guideline-for-Physical-Therapy- …Rehabilitation Centre for Children › https://rccinc.ca › wp-content › uploads › 2019/02
More information can be obtained at:
- The APTA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Congential Muscular Torticollis –
Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2018 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline from the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy - Clinical-Practice-Guideline-for-Physical-Therapy- …Rehabilitation Centre for Children https://rccinc.ca › wp-content › uploads › 2019/02
