Can babies with torticollis be cured?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Le Thanh Cam - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Newborns with head-tilt torticollis are not uncommon these days. So when a child has torticollis, what should be done to be the best for the child and is it curable for babies with torticollis? Let's find out the most common methods of treating torticollis in children today.

1. What is torticollis?

Scoliosis, also known as rotator cuff, is a condition in which a child's head tilts to one direction, mainly the right side, accounting for 75% of the time, and the chin is tilted to the opposite direction.
Neck torticollis usually does not cause pain to the child, the telltale signs appear quite early, possibly from the moment the child is born.
Children under 3 months of age often have signs of torticollis such as the appearance of a sternocleidomastoid tumor immediately after birth and limited neck mobility, the baby's head tends to tilt to the side with the fibroid.
Late signs often appear after 3 months of age: The child has fibroids but the density is much stronger than that of children under 3 months, the child's head is crooked to the side with the tumor, the cervical spine has limited mobility, The vertebrae are deformed, the child has strabismus, and half of the face has atrophy of the fibrous mass.
What to do with children with torticollis is a concern of many parents, but if detected early, it can still be treated, even if the cause is genetic or congenital. Therefore, early detection of children with torticollis will make treatment much more convenient.

2. The cause of the child's neck and head tilt

There are different causes of torticollis in infants. The following are the most common causes of torticollis in children:
Congenital sternoclavicular strain affecting the baby's position in the womb or causing damage when the baby is born Hereditary Due to trauma severe in the brain Spinal cord tumors Cervical vertebrae are fused together Due to the child's position such as lying on one side or sitting improperly.

3. Treatment of torticollis in infants

Medical data records that 1 in 250 children is born with congenital torticollis. However, torticollis can be treated if detected early and depending on the severity of the disease, there will be different treatment methods. In general, when parents discover that their child has torticollis, they should coordinate with a doctor to treat it as soon as possible.
Physiotherapy
This is the first and simplest method, but this method requires a lot of time and perseverance. Parents can do it at home, but with careful guidance from a specialist. In addition, parents need to pay attention to perform until the child is completely cured, the tumor has no signs of red hot, practice when the child is not fussy and before feeding the child. Some physical therapy exercises to help treat torticollis in infants:
Massaging, massaging the sternocleidomastoid muscle: Use one hand to fix the shoulder joint on the affected side of the child, the other hand can be used 1 or 2 fingers rub on the fibrous mass clockwise. Do it every 5-10 minutes and 3-4 times a day. Stretching sternocleidomastoid muscle: Fix the shoulder joint on the affected side of the child with one hand, hold the child's head with the other hand, gently place the hand on the child's head and pull it down slowly and gently. Then hold for about 30 seconds, then release and repeat the operation about 2-4 times. Do this exercise 3-4 times a day. Turn the child's head: Fix the shoulder joint on the sick side, put the other hand on the baby's head on the healthy side, gently rest the hand on the child's head, slowly turn the child's head to bring the chin near the shoulder of the patient and hold for about 15-30 seconds then relax. Do 3-4 times/day. Put the child to lie on his side: Perform this method by using a long pillow behind the child's back, should be over the child's shoulders and hips so that the child lies completely on his side to avoid lying on his back, tilting his head. When the baby is lying on the side without the fibrous mass, do not put a pillow under the head and vice versa, put a triangular pillow under the head. Change your baby's side to side about every 2 hours or after each meal. Electrotherapy
Using direct current to deliver drugs into the tumor with the aim of softening the tumor. This method is performed for children from 3 months old and above, each treatment session takes place within 15-20 minutes and lasts from 15-20 times
Using orthopedic appliances
Normal tools used is a soft neck belt, this is a type of orthopedic device that is used simultaneously when using methods such as physical therapy, electrotherapy or surgery. Purpose of using the device to help fix the child's head in an intermediate position
Surgery
This method is used when the above methods are not effective, performed when the child is 2 years old or older.
Early detection of torticollis will help children have a high chance of treating the disease in a short time. Therefore, when parents discover that their child has abnormal posture of the cervical spine and head, restricting rotation and rotation of the neck, it is necessary to take the child to see a specialist for diagnosis of the cause and intervention for treatment. Early treatment for best results.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, currently, it has been conducting examination and consulting for treatment of torticollis caused by muscle defects in children and other subjects. Vinmec is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors and nurses, a system of modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its comprehensive medical examination, consultation and treatment services. professional; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

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Reference source: trungtamphuchoichucnang.com