torticollis

my ds has torticollis. His neck tends to tilt to the right and it is difficult for him to turn his head to the right because the muscles on that side are so contracted. It is getting better with the stretches the physical therapist taught us, but when he cries because it hurts him for us to stretch him it breaks my heart. Any one have a baby with this and what were you told to do? How soon does it get better?

 

My son began pt at 8 weeks and he went once a week. After going for about 4 months, I felt like his progress should have been greater so he began going to pt 2 times a week. We went until about 14 months. He hated the stretches we had to do at home. At 5 months though, many of the stretches were passive (where we would have to place toys at a certain angle, etc.) but the actually stretches we had to do to him were tough because he really fought it. So does your son go to pt or did a pt just tell you what kind of stretches to do?

 

My DS had torticollis and was in PT for it. Like you said, the stretches did help but it wasn't until around 10ish months that he didn't tilt at all. He was in PT from 4 months until 12 months. I know what you mean about them crying because the stretches hurt, it is hard. My PT said to do it until they are really crying. It was usually that at first he would just be uncomfortable and groan, and it slowly became a cry. The more I did the stretches, the longer period of time before he started crying. It is hard, but you are helping him. :hug99: I hated doing the stretches, because he was an unusually strong little guy, but in the end it was for him that I was doing it. I'd say that by 8ish months, he wasn't in pain anymore and he would let us turn his head almost all the way and wasn't fighting us on it to much. At this point he'd only tilt when he was real tired or concentrating on learning how to crawl.

Good luck to you Momma, and keep at it. :hug99:

 

QUOTE(seamusnicholas @ Apr 30 2008, 10:08 PM) [snapback]749549[/snapback]
My son began pt at 8 weeks and he went once a week. After going for about 4 months, I felt like his progress should have been greater so he began going to pt 2 times a week. We went until about 14 months. He hated the stretches we had to do at home. At 5 months though, many of the stretches were passive (where we would have to place toys at a certain angle, etc.) but the actually stretches we had to do to him were tough because he really fought it. So does your son go to pt or did a pt just tell you what kind of stretches to do?

both babies go to pt. this was their second appointment today after 3 months from their previous appointment because they were doing so well. DD doesn't have to come back for another 3 months, but DS needs to came back next month because of his neck problem. It made me a bit sad to hear they are on different levels developmentally. But overall they are both at 4 months adjusted age and developmentally so I am proud of that

 

Is there anyway that your son can go on a weekly basis? There were things the pt did that I was unable to do. She was trained to massage him in a certain way and loosen up his muscles in a way that I was unable to do.

 

QUOTE(Twinsylvania April @ Apr 30 2008, 11:20 PM) [snapback]749567[/snapback]
It made me a bit sad to hear they are on different levels developmentally. But overall they are both at 4 months adjusted age and developmentally so I am proud of that


:hug99: You should be very proud!!
Did your PT mention that because of the torticollis it would delay him a bit. It doesn't mean it will, but my ds was a bit delayed compared to his sister, but he caught up and you can't tell at all that he ever had it.
So the PT is only seeing every month?

 

I'm not sure I could see them on a weekly basis. They did leave it open to go and see them if I had any concerns, but they seemed to be satisfied with only seeing him next month. Maybe I should look into seeing them sooner. Thx for the advice.

 

Hi,
Both my boys have it. At first it was only Jake, but at our 3 month appointment, we were told Josh also has it. Right now we are just doing the exercises at home. Our pedi also stressed tummy time. I was upset since we saw a different Dr. at their 2 month appointment since ours was on maternity leave. He never mentioned Jake or Josh having any problems. Jake was first diagnosed at 1 month and we were told to put a wedge under his left side to prevent him from turning his head that way when he sleeps. Now whenever they sleep, we make sure they both have wedges under them which seems to help. We see our pedi at 5 months and if things are not better, then we'll have to do PT. It's only been two weeks and they seem to be doing better.

 

thank you so much for the words of encouragement!! its good to know it will get better with effort and care