Torticollis??

[BeachBunni]

Was unsure whether to post this here or the prem baby thread. Because my lo doesn't seem to have good neck control, mainly slumping to one side, the hv is referring him to his ped to check for torticollis. He had IUGR and I've just found out that he has increased risk of this condition. Does anyone here have experience of this?? I'm now worried silly. Thanks x

my baby has postural issues...she is now 10 months, but when she was about 3 months it was noticed that she had numerous bodily blocks to movements i.e from the birth proces some of her bones or joints were pulled out of their normal position. She had these blocks to movement removed when she was 5 months (she was kind of pulled back into position). Now at 10 months she is behind developmetally - no crawling, no pulling herself up to sitting from lying etc..she apparently has weak upper body tone.

She also had similar problems..held her head over to one side as a tilt, slumped a bit and still does. She is in hospital at the moment having checks to rule out other issues e.g cerebral palsy etc.. and when there is nothing found she will start physiotherapy to get her strength up and to get her on track developmentally. Do not worry though, follow all the checks, and physiotherapists can remove any blocks in movement easily..if it is torticollis it will be diagnosed and treated and physio given if needed. I was petrified and still am as I am awaiting test results..but it is good that things like this are diagnosed early and babies are fairly maleable and respond good to physio. They may refer you for other checks too - but try not to let it alarm you (easily said than done) and follow the treatment plans...my ped. also said things like torticollis and blocks in bodily movements are common in babies and it can be rectified with physio given where needed...chin up and let me know how it goes..atleast they are looking in to the problem now.

Thank you so much for replyng Bekkie. I scared myself silly looking into torticollis on the net which then lead to learning difficulties. I thought maybe it was just me until I mentioned to my dp tonight who then said that ds tilts his head to the left (and slumps). He's been pretty late with any body develpment, I think caused by his IUGR, so I'm hoping that this is the same. Just heard from my hv today that his ped has a cancellation next week and has managed to fit him in. Does physio sort it all out or do you know if there's any long lasting symptoms? I'm really trying to keep my chin up but we have been through the wars with my son and I was wishing it would get better

Hi BeachBunni

Not sure how relevant I can be, but my daughter was diagnosed with (reasonably mild) torticollis - as was a friend of mine. Both kids went through a programme of physio at the local hospital & are now doing well. My daughter's now two, and still has some weakness on her 'poor' side, but no-body would notive it except me and a physio

There are some great physio stretches you can do, and they have really, really good results.

HTH, & good luck!

Honestly funnypeculiar, any info is great. It's strange because shortly after birth birth his ped told me he had great neck control, but now it seems ds hasn't progressed. It's good to hear that physio can help though. Did your daughter like the physio?

Ummm, she tolerated some of the stretches, but others were more of a struggle tbh. The key thing is frequent smal stretches.

She loved going to see the physio (who was very lovely & had LOTS of toys )

My baby should have had physio in january when her blocks in movement were removed. They made an error by not prescribing us with physio earlier. She is now 10 months and behind in many ways motorically - crawling etc.. I think if it is diagnosed and treated early with any necessary physio then all is good. As for long lasting effects, I would not have thought there would be anything major..in the worst case a bit of weakness there at times..but if it is treated in babyhood..should be ok. I hope my daughter picks up strength with physio..with her it was not only the neck..but pelvis and ribs.