Torticollis
By
What is Torticollis?
Torticollis is a musculoskeletal disorder that mainly affects infants. Another common name for torticollis is wryneck or twisted neck. There are two types of torticollis, congenital and acquired. The difference between the two is when the infant presents with the disorder. If the infant is born with the disorder then it is congenital, but if the disorder occurs after the baby was born then it is acquired. Both forms present and are treated similarly.
Baby Laying with Torticollis
6 Most Common Symptoms of Torticollis
- Newborn’s head is tilted or turned towards one shoulder
- Limited range of motion in the head or neck
- Flattening on one side of the head or face (due to sleeping only on one side)
- A small lump on their neck
- Crying and pain with “tummy time”
- Problems with feeding or latching
What Causes Torticollis?
Torticollis occurs when the sternocleidomastoid muscle (connects the skull to the collar bone or breast plate) is shortened. It is not fully known, but in most cases, torticollis is caused by prolonged positioning in utero, injury to the muscle during birth, or abnormalities to the vertebrae of the neck.
Treatment of Torticollis
In the majority of cases, torticollis can be effectively treated at home with the guidance of a physical therapist or physician. However, if symptoms do not improve or the torticollis is more severe formal physical therapy treatment sessions and or surgery may be required.
Home Exercises to Reduce Torticollis
Begin with the baby positioned on his or her stomach just as they would for typical “tummy time”. Move away from the direction the infant’s head is naturally pointing towards and talk to your baby in order to encourage them to turn their head towards you. This will work for stretching the tight muscles and strengthening the weaker side. Perform this for 5-10 minutes at a time (or based on the infant’s tolerance), several times throughout the day to reduce the effects of torticollis.
- Feed your infant on the side away from the shoulder that the torticollis is pulling them towards.
- Manually (gently) turning your baby’s head from side to side. Also tilting side to side.
- When laying your baby down to sleep, position them so that the direction the torticollis is making them look is the wall. Infants will want to look towards the room so this will encourage them to move their head.
Baby Sleeping with Torticollis Facing Towards the Wall
Physical Therapy for Torticollis
If formal physical therapy is required, the physical therapist will perform similar activities as listed above with the infant. They will also utilize their clinical skills and judgment to progress the levels of stretching and strengthening activities to help facilitate a full recovery. Physical therapist and pediatricians may also fit the infant for a helmet orthosis to help with reshaping their skull if they present flattening on one side of the head.
How Long does it Take to Treat?
Conservative treatment methods are effective for the majority of torticollis cases. However, it does take patience as it can take up to 6 months for the torticollis to completely go away, and in rare cases it can take a full year or more. Treatment is most effective if started early when the infant is only three to six month old.
Written By: Bridget Bigale PTA, Site Coordinator
Related Articles:
- Common Neck Injuries and Preventative Exercises
- How to sleep with neck muscle spasm
- Bones of the Neck
- Kink or Crick in the Neck
- Treatment for stiff neck
Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
New to JOI, you can now schedule your follow up appointments and cancel appointments on the JOI Portal.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.