29.03.2024

Manifestations and treatment of congenital muscular torticollis

Congenital muscular torticollis – a condition that is caused by the improper position of the head. The symptoms of this disease, and treatment and prognosis depend on various factors, including the causes and severity.

Among all congenital diseases of the musculoskeletal system this condition is ranked third, second only to congenital hip dislocation and clubfoot.

To determine the exact cause of this condition have not yet succeeded. However, there are several predisposing factors that can cause this disease.

Why do I get

These include:

  1. Traumatic injury during childbirth.
  2. Ischemic necrosis of the muscles.
  3. A long position in an inclined state.
  4. Infectious myositis.

While most newborns present and other pathology of development, and their mothers said that the pregnancy was due to severe morning sickness, and sometimes with gestosis in the later period.

Symptoms

Muscular torticollis is early and late. And this division will depend on the presence of certain symptoms.

Rarely detected early and is noticeable almost immediately after birth. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is shorter than the norm, it is noticeable a constant inclined position of the head, asymmetry of the face and skull.

The symptoms of late forms appear gradually. Initially, there is a small thickening, gradually it becomes more and the muscles become denser. The skin over the modified area of the muscle does not change. Signs of inflammation are completely absent.

Right-sided muscular torticollis in a child is more common than the left. What is the reason, while not precisely elucidated.

The head turns in the opposite direction. If you try to give it normal position, then the child begins to actively resist. The growth of muscle tissue is transformed into fibrous. It ceases to be elastic and lags in growth and development compared to the healthy side.

When viewed from the front it is noticeable that the head is always tilted to the healthy side, and sometimes can be tilted forward. Gradually develop and form secondary deformation of the face and skull, spine and shoulder girdle.

Muscular torticollis in infants with lesions of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is very rare. There is no deformation of the skull and face. But to turn his head to one side or the other becomes impossible. Also, there is a curvature of the spine.

How to get rid of

Initially applied conservative therapy, which is considered the main treatment of this disease. With proper and timely treatment can fully restore the function of muscles. Moreover, it is observed that 80% of all patients.

Important exercises that must be performed regularly. You cannot use violent and coarse motion, as any trauma will only aggravate existing problems.

Massage helps to restore circulation to the muscle, to improve its tone. But to fix the result, for some time assigned to wearing a collar Schantz.

You also need to pursue a full course of physical therapy. You need to choose simple and gentle methods, for example, paraffin baths, Solux, UHF. Later may be appointed electrophoresis with drugs that help restore blood circulation in the affected muscle.

Do you use any drugs not recommended since they may affect the General condition of the muscle tissue.

If muscular torticollis in children not amenable to conservative treatment, but symptoms continue to increase, then operation is used. After its implementation requires a long period of rehabilitation and recovery treatment, which is best carried out in a sanatorium.

This disease requires a mandatory follow-up. The doctor should observe the child with this diagnosis every two months during the first year of life and every 4 months thereafter.

After full cure by any method follow-up ends at age 18.

Muscular torticollis in newborns should not be a reason to panic parents. When the first symptoms should consult a doctor first to the pediatrician, then an orthopedist or surgeon. With good and timely treatment, the prognosis is usually favorable. Sometimes the disease can return in adulthood, but this is quite rare.

4 thoughts on “Manifestations and treatment of congenital muscular torticollis

  1. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  2. Simply desire to say your article is as amazing.
    The clarity in your post is just excellent and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *