Torticollis Treatment

Torticollis treatment goals include ruling out an underlying disorder, increasing range of motion of the neck, and correcting the cosmetic deformity. Some infants with muscular torticollis may respond to nonoperative measures, which include range of motion exercises of the head and neck and stretching of the restrictive muscles several times daily. General indications for nonoperative management include age younger than 1 year, positive response to stretching exercise over several weeks, and no underlying cervical spine abnormalities or CNS findings.  

Principles of surgical management of patients with muscular torticollis include identifying and releasing all restricting bands involving the sternocleidomastoid muscle and other neck structures, moving the head through a full range of motion before completion of the surgery, and resuming physical therapy within 2 weeks of operation to prevent recurrent contracture.

Torticollis  Introduction

Torticollis

The literal definition of torticollis, also known as wry neck or loxia, is twisted neck, but the traditional definition is shortening of one sternocleidomastoid muscle. Shortening and secondary contractures can be a primary abnormality of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (muscular torticollis) or secondary to CNS or upper cervical spine abnormalities.  

Infants and young children with muscular torticollis have the ear pulled down toward the clavicle on the ipsilateral side. The face looks upward toward the contralateral side. Early in infancy, a "tumor" or thickening is palpated in the lower to mid portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This thickening represents swelling or fibrosis of the central portion of the muscle and often is a precursor of the subsequent contracture. Skull and facial asymmetry or plagiocephaly may be present in congenital cases.

Torticollis can be -

• Congenital torticollis
• Acquired torticollis

Etiology of Torticollis

In infants, in utero malposition, birth trauma, sternocleidomastoid muscle compartment syndrome, and heredity have been implicated as etiologic factors. In acquired torticollis in children, CNS mass lesions, abnormalities of the cervical spine, and local head and neck infections are more likely. Psychiatric causes may occur during adolescence.

Diagnosis

A thorough neurologic examination should be performed, and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the cervical spine should be obtained. A CT scan or MRI of the head and neck is necessary for any patient with persistent neck pain or with neurologic signs and symptoms.

Torticollis Treatment at Home for Babies

The best method of torticollis treatment is to encourage your baby to turn his or her head in both directions. This will help to loosen tense neck muscles and tighten the loose ones. Here are some exercises to try:

• When your baby wants to eat, offer the bottle or your breast in a way that encourages your baby to turn away from the favored side. (Use your child's desire to eat to encourage him or her along!)
• When putting your baby down to sleep, position him or her to face the wall. Since babies prefer to look out onto the room, your baby will actively turn away from the wall and this will stretch the tightened muscles of the neck. 
• During play, draw your baby's attention with toys and sounds to make him or her turn in both directions.

Torticollis Treatment

Torticollis treatment include medication, physical devices, botulinum toxin, physical therapy, stretching exercises, and surgery. In most people, torticollis resolves in several days to a few weeks. A few people will develop continuing neck problems for months to years. Persistent neck muscle spasms may require referral to a neurologist or surgeon.

Torticollis Physiotherapy

It is important that parents get their child into physiotherapy as soon as possible. The older the child is, the tighter the SCM becomes and the harder it becomes to stretch the child due to their increased activity level.

At the physiotherapy initial evaluation the parents will be given a home exercise program including range of motion exercises, massage instructions, positioning ideas to discourage the child’s favored position, and strengthening exercises to help decrease any asymmetry that may be occurring.

Recent Articles Physical Therapy Abbreviations Jan 05, 20 06:55 PM Common Physical Therapy Abbreviations used in documentation Pes Anserine Bursitis May 26, 17 11:36 AM Pes anserine bursitis (tendinitis) involves inflammation of the bursa at the insertion of the pes anserine tendons on the medial proximal tibia. williams flexion exercises May 22, 17 12:02 PM Williams flexion exercises focus on placing the lumbar spine in a flexed position to reduce excessive lumbar lordotic stresses.

Author's Pick SCI Rehabilitation Walking Crutches  Pain Gate Theory  Scapulothoracic Joint Physiotherapy in Delhi Medicine Ball Exs Sternoclavicular Joint Q angle Valsalva Maneuver Pain Rating Scale Trendelenburg Gait Indoor Rowing Machines Physiotherapy Exercises Physiotherapy History Thera Band Workouts Neurobic exercises Extracorporeal Shock Waves Biomechanics of Throwing Wobble Board Exercises Tendinosis vs Tendinitis Williams Flexion Exercises Rating: 4.4 Votes: 252

Return from Torticollis Treatment to Home Page

Return from Torticollis Treatment to Pediatric Physiotherapy