Have you noticed your baby preferring to look in one direction only, or seemingly not interested in turning their head to feed on a particular side? Does your child seem to always have their head tilted to one side? This could be a sign of pediatric torticollis.
Torticollis is also known as wryneck or head tilt. The sternocleidomastoid muscle, SCM muscle, runs along the side of the neck and controls the up-and-down and side-to-side movement of the head. Torticollis occurs when a SCM muscle on one side of the neck tightens. This tightening causes the head to tilt one way and the chin to rotate in opposite direction.
Torticollis can affect anyone at any age. In children, torticollis is usually categorized into either Acquired Torticollis or Congenital Muscular Torticollis.
Acquired Torticollis
Acquired Torticollis develops in the first four to six months of childhood or even later, up to 10 years of age. If your child develops torticollis, it is important to schedule an appointment with your Imagine Pediatric Therapy and your pediatrician as soon as possible to determine the root cause of the problem and appropriate treatment.
Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Congenital Muscular Torticollis, the most common form of torticollis, is present at birth, although parents may not notice this condition until your child develops head control, at about six weeks of age. In addition to a head tilt, you may also notice:
- An asymmetry in the shape of the head and face or plagiocephaly. This occurs when an infant’s skull becomes flattened in one area due to repeated pressure on one part of the head
- A pea-sized lump found on the SCM muscle on the tightened side
- Musculoskeletal problems such as hip dysplasia may also be present, but this is very rare
Torticollis is most often seen in first-born babies as a result of a difficult labor or awkward positioning in the womb. Doctors aren’t sure why some babies develop torticollis, but the good news is that, with physical therapy, it typically resolves completely.
Diagnosis
Consult with your pediatrician as soon as possible if you notice your child is having difficulty turning their neck. Your doctor will perform an examination and determine if further tests are necessary.
Treatment
If your doctor rules out serious causes of torticollis, they will likely recommend physical therapy for your child. Our therapists at Imagine Pediatrics will evaluate your child, create a therapy plan and then work with your child to strengthen the affected SCM muscle and any weakness in other muscles that may affect the head and trunk, through stretches and other exercises.
Your therapist can instruct you and other caregivers to continue these therapies at home, and recommend additional best practices to improve your child’s SCM muscle. Therapy to completely resolve torticollis typically lasts three months to a year, depending upon the severity of the muscle contraction, and the consistency of doing the assigned exercises at home.
Do you have questions about torticollis or other childhood developmental milestones? Call us at 312-588-5050 or email info@imaginepeds.com. Imagine Pediatrics will be with your child and your family every step of the way.
