Torticollis, sometimes called twisted , comes from the Latin words tortus (curved – bent) and collum (neck). Babies with this condition have their heads turned and tilted to one side and struggle to move their heads to the opposite side.
What is torticollis?
A true torticollis may result from a small ‘knot’ of mixed fibers in the sterno-cleidomastoid muscle (SCM). This knot of muscle fibers is felt as a small lump called an SCM tumor. The word tumor used here simply means lump, so it is important to note that this does not mean cancer and this should disappear by six months.
Torticollis is usually easy to spot as your baby will often have difficulty turning their head and will exhibit limited movement in the head and neck area.
There are two classifications of torticollis:
Congenital torticollis – The cause of congenital torticollis can either be due to a difficult birth or the baby has maintained a certain position in the womb during pregnancy and this can cause the baby to have limited movement.
Although congenital torticollis can be identified as soon as the baby is born, many parents do not notice the condition until their baby is several months old, as they naturally begin to gain more control over head and neck movements.
Typically, congenital torticollis responds very well to repositioning techniques. The sooner repositioning is done, the more successful the results will be. The baby’s limited movement can cause prolonged pressure on part of the skull, resulting in an asymmetrical head shape. Congenital torticollis is often associated with plagiocephaly .
Acquired torticollis – develops after birth and becomes apparent in the first six months of the baby’s life. Babies can develop this condition during birth or as a result of the baby lying in a certain position for long periods of time, causing an unequal length of the left and right SCM muscles.
These are the two main causes of acquired torticollis that can be effectively treated and explained by the healthcare professional. In order for the treatment to be fully effective, it is important to get a professional diagnosis and start the necessary treatment as soon as possible.
The Right Torticollis Treatment for Your Baby
During an evaluation, if we suspect torticollis, we can make recommendations to help you find appropriate torticollis treatment for your baby.
If you still have questions about what to do if your baby has torticollis , read our informative blog post that explores different repositioning techniques you can try to improve movement and range of motion in your baby’s head and neckIf the condition is diagnosed early enough and managed carefully with physiotherapy and stretching, you should begin to see significant improvements. Your baby should be able to hold his head straight and turn his head fully in both directions.
If you suspect that your baby has plagiocephaly, contact cranial treatment centers or doctors on the subject.