Early Signs of Torticollis

Kellyn was officially diagnosed with torticollis at seven months.  Unfortunately, she was showing signs of this condition well before that.  If I had known what to look for, I could have had her diagnosed way earlier and her condition would have been much easier to correct.  Torticollis treated before four months has the best prognosis.  That's why its so important for new parents to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of torticollis, so that they can catch it and correct it as fast as possible.

At the time, I never thought anything of her head tilt.

Tilt Regression (Milestone & Illness-Related)

Unfortunately, Kellyn has had a cold, congestion, and wheezing for the past few weeks. In addition, she's had a slight head tilt regression, which is a little disheartening. However, there is a silver lining to this torticollis regression. I think its largely attributed to her progression with her developmental milestones.  Just in time for her upcoming first birthday in exactly one week's time!

So excited that Kellyn finally learned to crawl on hands and knees!Huge milestone for her.

Rolling Back-to-Belly

In addition to torticollis, Kellyn also had mild trunk curvature.  This trunk curvature made it difficult for her to roll onto her right side.  When she rolled, she usually favored rolling onto her left side.  Kellyn's physical therapist wanted her to become comfortable rolling to her less favored right side.  So here's how the exercise I do to help her become more comfy rolling onto her right side.  I have include both a video tutorial and a written tutorial below.  Please note that the written tutorial offers a bit more hands-on guidance and support for your baby doing the roll.  The video offers less hands-on support and is geared more for babies who can roll independently with a little extra encouragement.

Video Tutorial:

Torticollis Pictures: 11 Weeks of PT

So it's about that time again when I post Kellyn's progress pictures from physical therapy for her torticollis.  Comparing to her six week pictures, I would say she has improved tremendously.  Now keep in mind though that her six week pictures were taken on a day that she was having a "bad torticollis day".  Even still, I notice a great improvement overall as compared to when she first started physical therapy.

Her right head tilt is negligible in this picture,
and her right neck depression looks much less noticeable.

Snuggin Go & Torticollis Support Kit Review

Some parents told me about the Snuggin Go and the Torticollis Support Kit that they used for their babies with torticollis.  Not knowing much about these products, but desperate for any potential solution to help Kellyn, I bought these items.  I'll go ahead and review these products for you.  In this post, I'm including both a video review and a written product review.

Kellyn using the Snuggin Go and the Torticollis Support Kit in her high chair.

Stability Ball Strengthening for Right Torticollis

Since Kellyn's left neck and trunk muscles are both weak, this is a great two-for-one strengthening exercise for her.  This exercise looks so fun that my son Luke gets jealous when I do this with her.  The only way I can complete this exercise with Kellyn is if I promise that he gets a turn doing the ball exercise after her.  Just what I need...even more physical therapy exercises to do :) Anyways, here's a video tutorial AND step-by-step written instructions (with pictures) below.  This exercise is for babies with right torticollis.

Video Tutorial:

Four Weeks into Physical Therapy

Here are some updated pictures of Kellyn after four weeks of physical therapy.  Her left trunk tilt is much less pronounced and her right head tilt has decreased some, as well.  Her physical therapist noticed that she tilts her head more when she is looking down.  Kellyn is more inclined to keep her head straight when she is looking straight ahead or laying down on her back.  What you won't be able to see in these pictures is how much stronger she is getting at doing her strengthening exercises.  She has also had amazing progress in her motor skill progression.  In addition, I believe her facial symmetry is improving.  I am very pleased with her progress so far.

She holds her head up much more straight when she is looking straight ahead.

Kellyn's Progress in Physical Therapy

So Kellyn has been in physical therapy now for about three weeks.  Overall, I think she is making good progress.  I have noticed that her right head tilt is not as pronounced as it previously was.  Also when I tilt her to her right, she is now able to pick her head up much easier than she used to.  So her neck muscles have definitely strengthened.  Her trunk is much less inclined to tilt to the left now too.  I think the lessening of her trunk tilt is a more dramatic improvement compared to her the decrease in her head tilt.

Before Pictures

Here are some pictures of Kellyn before or at the beginning of physical therapy.  Her physical therapist suggested we take pictures of Kellyn regularly.  That way, I can track her progress since its hard to notice the changes since I'm with her all the time.  I'm trying to see if her neck and trunk straighten up and her slight facial asymmetries resulting from the torticollis resolve themselves over time.

 This is the back view of her head tilt at approximately 1 week into physical therapy.    

Ophthalmologist Appointment & Scoliosis Evaluation

Today is one of those appointment filled days for Kellyn. After this morning's evaluation with the early intervention program, we had an ophthalmologist and pediatrician appointment scheduled for the afternoon. As I had mentioned previously, children with torticollis occasionally have vision issues that cause them to tilt their head in a certain direction. Just to be on the safe side, we wanted to have her vision tested. At the ophthalmologist appointment, they discovered that she was about twice as farsighted as the average seven month old. The doctor shared that her vision both near and far was not great. Immediately, I started to freak out in my head. "Is she going blind?," I asked with with alarm written across my face. He shook his head no and said that she may need to wear glasses down the line. He did not recommend glasses at this time because he said babies' vision could naturally improve in time. Compared to my initial concern with her going blind, the prospect of her possibly having to wear glasses in the future seemed totally tolerable.

hermione13 © 123RF.com | hermione13

Early Intervention Program Evaluation

Today was Kellyn's evaluation with our state's early intervention program. It provides support services to families with children who have developmental delays and/or special needs. If a child qualifies, the child will be assigned a therapist to work with her at home. I am quite familiar with this program since my two and a half-year-old son Luke has been receiving services for an expressive language delay since he was about eighteen months old. We absolutely love this program.

Anyways, Kellyn received a full evaluation by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and a developmental therapist. They would be testing her in various areas to see if she had any developmental delays and if her torticollis warranted any physical therapy services.

Evgenii Kosmissarov © 123RF.com | komissar007

Torticollis Diagnosis

On Friday, Kellyn had her two big appointments with her pediatrician and her physical therapist.  Her pediatrician officially diagnosed her with torticollis.  Later that day, Kellyn had an initial evaluation with an outpatient physical therapist.  She confirmed the diagnosis, did some initial physical therapy exercises with Kellyn, and gave us a helpful flyer to take home that outlined her exercises with detailed descriptions and pictures.  I was so nervous about her initial physical therapy appointment that I brought along two sources of moral support: my husband and my mother :)  I felt less anxious with them by my side.

Torticollis Suspected

So for the past few months, I've been noticing my daughter Kellyn has been tilting her head to her right side and tilting her trunk to the left side.  I also noticed that her left eye is open slightly more than her right side.  I mentioned her tilts and her eyes to her doctors when she was about six months old, but no one seemed to be too concerned.  I was given general advice of stretching her and encouraging her to look to her right side.  I was also told that if it doesn't correct itself over time, than she may need physical therapy in the future.