Congenital torticollis in newborns is a fairly common disease. This anomaly is more common in boys than in girls. Turn the neck mainly to the right.
Causes of torticollis in newborns
- Deformation of one or more vertebrae, violation of the structure;
- With excessive unilateral pressure on the uterus, the head is not installed correctly;
- With intrauterine inflammation of the muscle, inflammation forms in a chronic form, the muscle becomes shorter and loses its elasticity;
- In severe labor, the muscle can tear and muscle fibers will pass into the tendons. In this place, a scar is organized, growth lag occurs in the muscles along the entire length.
- With malformations of the mastoid muscles.
Most orthopedists believe that torticollis in newborns is primarily a congenital malformation, most often obtained during childbirth. From this disease, babies who were born even by Caesarean section are not immune. It should be noted in infants with gluteal dilution of the fetus, it is more common than in others. To accurately determine the cause of this diagnosis, consultation of specialists is required: Pediatrician, Orthopedist, Neurologist.
Photo of newborns with torticollis
Video about crank
With treatment, torticollis is better not to delay, but to begin with two weeks of age. Forced position of the head of the baby can lead to asymmetries of the face and skull. At an older age, torticollis left untreated leads to scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and facial deformation. The older the child, the more difficult it is to treat.
Treatment methods for torticollis in infants
Productive result includes:
- Massage for newborns with crankshaft;
- Therapeutic gymnastics;
- Position treatment;
- Physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Circle for bathing newborns;
- Apply a special cardboard collar lined with cotton and gauze. (Shantsa Collar)
- Lesson in the pool (bath)
If the signs of torticollis are caused by any general disease, then it is necessary to treat it. First of all, the result depends on the participation and activity of the baby's parents in the treatment. Massage with this disease, however, as with any entrust better specialist. An experienced massage therapist will help to achieve a better result than parents at home.
Massage for newborns with crankshaft at home:
- Put your baby on your back. General strokes make massage of the chest, arms and legs.Gently squeeze the muscle from the side of the torticollis. By stroking and rubbing, massage the cheek from a healthy side;
- Make corrective exercises, in turns, alternating a healthy and sick side;
- Lightly stroking the stomach. Repeat neck massage. Gently mash the baby's feet;
- Turn the baby on his stomach. Make light strokes of the back and neck. Turn the child from one side to another, this procedure causes the extension of the back;
- Finish by stroking the legs of the hands.
Massage do 3 times a day, 5 to 8 minutes.
VIDEO: Massage session for hypertonicity of muscles and torticollis
Position treatment
Parents can do a lot at home for their child, for example, treatment with the situation. It must be carried out constantly independently in the arms of the child or in the crib. This type of treatment is necessary for the passive stretching of the affected muscle. For the correct formation of the body diagram. Improper position of the child’s head should not be habitual and natural. Parental involvement in this type of treatment is paramount.
The child must be sure to sleep correctly. Putting the child on a hard mattress only and replace the pillow with a diaper (folded several times). During sleep, make sure that the baby's head turns towards the damaged muscle. It will be easier to do this if you put a toy on the side of the diseased muscle and turn on the light. In this position, the affected muscle is stretched involuntarily.
It is good to apply fixation of the child’s head in the correct position using salt sacs. Make sure that the body lies symmetrically. If the baby often spits up, this method cannot be used! In this case, the child should be laid on a healthy side, if on the patient, then be sure to put a high pillow.
Torticollis prophylaxis
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics with crankshaft is available at home. If you decide to conduct it yourself, then first consult with a physician of physiotherapy. Gymnastic exercises for the baby are painful, so everything must be done carefully, but persistently. The exercises are performed together.
One person holds the body and arms of the baby, and the second holds the head securely. With this method, the shoulder girdle is parallel to the edge of the table, and the head and neck hang. It is imperative to remember that the head and body should be located exactly in the same line. Gradually reduce head support. With this method, the muscles relax and as a result stretch. Hands limit the child's head rotation and tilt. Exercise to perform symmetrically. Raise the head of the baby until touching the chin of the chest. Exercise to perform morning and evening. no more than 5 times.
When picking up a baby, gradually reduce head support. Try to hang it under its own weight, this helps to stretch the muscles. Raise your head for a while, let the baby rest and repeat again. Exercise to carry out at least three times a day.
Treatment should be carried out in parallel with massage courses and electrophoresis. After a couple of courses, in most cases the result is positive. However, parents need to remember that relapse is possible. On the affected side, muscle growth retardation will continue. To consolidate the result, it is recommended to conduct at least 4 courses of physiotherapy with massage in the first year.
Surgery
In extremely rare cases, it is not possible to achieve a positive result with conservative treatment. Surgery is recommended by the age of one. There are two ways:
- Muscle dissection (myotomy);
- Plastic lengthening of the muscle.
The first method is carried out only in the orthopedics department, under general anesthesia. After ligation, the neck wounds are fixed with a plaster cast.
The second method is suitable for children after 4 years. After surgery, muscle symmetry is restored. If the child had an underlying disease, then relapse may increase.The cicatricial process in the area of muscle connection is very pronounced. During periods of rapid growth of the child must be observed by an orthopedist. If treatment is ignored or not completed, the child will form an irreparable pathology. The head will constantly tilt to the shoulder area.
VIDEO: Muscle torticollis, muscle hypertonicity in an infant before and after infant massage
A good result can always be achieved if you do not start the disease and systematically conduct classes with the child. With proper treatment, this disease goes away completely. Parents should first of all provide active assistance to their baby in recovery!
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An excellent site, I can’t tear myself away.
My brother, when he was born, my mother in the second week noticed that he sleeps constantly on one side. Since the children should be turned over for the correct formation of the head, his mother turned him to the other side. He cried and rolled over again. It turned out that he had a tonus of neck muscles. Mom carried her brother to the pediatrician. The doctor prescribed a massage treatment. This procedure has become a nightmare. The baby screams in pain, the mother loses consciousness, the doctor advises the next time to take valerian with her. Moreover, the mother should hold the baby for the convenience of a masseuse. And it turns out that these savage procedures had to be done every day, throughout the year. Moreover, the doctor did not give a guarantee of recovery. Mom is in despair. But apparently God heard mother's prayers and sent an adviser - a neighbor's grandmother. Granny said that you need to bathe several times in milk and everything will pass. Fortunately, milk trucks drove by nearby every morning. Mom bought a bucket of milk, diluted in half with water, warmed and bathed. The next day, she boiled and bathed again. So for a week. All! The crank has passed! Mom carried the baby to the clinic to show the doctor. She looked and asked: -What did you do? Mom told. The doctor pursed her lips and said that the baby does not need more help and the mother may not bring the child to the procedures. At the suggestion of the mother to talk about this method of treatment with other mothers, the doctor refused. Mom left the office and saw a woman in line with a child with the same problem. Mom started telling her about bathing in milk, the doctor heard, ran out of the office, scolded her mother and threatened to call the police. That was the story in 1977.