What Is Torticollosis?

By Author: rajat ziffytech
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Torticollis is a visible medical condition. Your child’s head constantly tilts to one side. Torticollis means twisted neck in Latin. The condition is also called wry neck or twisted neck. Torticollis can be congenital or acquired. Congenital muscular torticollis is a condition affecting babies. Most parents don’t notice the defect until the baby is several weeks old. Toricollosis is a rare medical condition in India.
• Congenital muscular torticollis responds to physical therapy, especially if you start the treatment early.
• Acquired torticollis usually starts when the child is 4 to 6 months old or later. The symptoms may start suddenly or come gradually. Acquired torticollis is usually not associated with facial asymmetry. Acquired torticollis can be the sign of a more serious health problem.
The different types of torticollis are:-
• Laterocollosis is when the head is tipped towards the shoulder.
• Rotational torticollis when the baby’s head rotates along the longitudinal axis.
• Anterocollis is when the head and neck bent in the forward direction.
• Retrocollis ...
... is when the head and neck are bent backward.
Symptoms
The symptoms of torticollis differ depending on the type of torticollis. Common symptoms of torticollis are:-
• Your baby’s head tilts to one side and chin points in the direction of the opposite shoulder. 75% of babies with the condition, the muscles on the right side of the baby’s neck is damaged.
• A limited range of motion of your baby’s neck makes it difficult for the baby to turn its head from side to side or up and down.
• In the first few weeks of your baby’s life, a soft lump is felt in the affected neck muscles. The lump is painless and usually goes away before your baby turns 6 months.
• One side of your baby’s face and head may flatten since the baby always sleeps on one side.
• Other symptoms may include:-
• Neck pain
• Thickened or tight sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Tender cervical spine
• Tremor in head
• Unequal shoulder height.
If you notice your baby head is tilted to one side book pediatrician in Nasik.
Causes
The cause of torticollis defers on the type of torticollis.
Congenital muscular torticollis is caused when the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) has become shortened or contracted. The SCM muscle on either side of the neck and controls the movement of your head. Your SCM can contract and cause your child’s head to tilt on one side:-
• The position of your baby in the womb before birth.
• Abnormal development of SCM muscle
• Trauma or damage to the muscle during birth.
Acquired torticollis can be caused due to:-
• Mild viral infection
• Minor trauma to head and neck
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Abnormalities in the cervical spine
• Vision problems
• A reaction to a medication.
Diagnosis
The best pediatrician in Nasik will examine your child. They will ask you questions about their development and growth. They may order imaging tests such as z-rays and MRI to determine if there are any skeletal abnormalities. During the physical examination, the pediatrician near me will
• Check out the range of motion
• Lightly look for pseudotumors
• Look and feel for asymmetrical and unevenness of the face and neck
• Check the rotation of your baby’s hip.
Treatment
The best pediatrician in Nasik will try to treat torticollis medically before trying the surgical options.
Non-surgical options are exercising the SCM muscles. Your pediatrician may recommend a physiotherapist in Nasik who will teach you the correct exercises. About 10% of torticollis cases are treated surgically usually when your child reaches preschool.