Treatment of congenital left-sided and right-sided muscular torticollis in infants

Congenital muscular torticollis occurs when damage to the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the background of intrauterine hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Among all congenital malformations in children, congenital "bend" the neck by the frequency of prevalence – 5-12%.

Among the scientists there is an opinion that the cause of the disease is in the wrong position of the head in utero, when the baby's neck is twisted umbilical cord, which restricts the movement of upper shoulder girdle. Controversial opinion, since there are many etiological factors of the disease.

we Cannot exclude the fact degenerative and inflammatory processes of the skeletal muscles, slowing down the process of its formation.

As the disease develops

Congenital muscular torticollis in children develops with the limited mobility of the sternocleidomastoid muscle that can be observed on the background of hypoxic, traumatic and inflammatory changes in the prenatal period.

Most Often, the pathology is due to impaired innervation of the sternocleidomastoid (sternocleidomastoid) muscles, which are fixed at one end to the temporal bone, and the other to the clavicle and sternum.

Congenital muscular torticollis is formed by shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the affected side. The change in length of muscle fibers caused birth trauma, underdevelopment of the fetus, infectious diseases.

depending on the degree of shortening, in newborns there is a certain degree of severity of pathology, which manifests itself:

• Deviation of the neck to the left or right;
• to turn the head in the opposite direction;
• with the Deformation of the face and neck of newborns
• Uneven location of the clavicle.

The Above symptoms can be generated with long-term child lying on one side. The acquired form of the pathology easier to treat than congenital.

Detection of disease

newborn curve of the neck is difficult to determine. After birth, the muscles are relaxed, so the baby cannot hold the head. After 2-3 weeks of the infant skeletal muscles starts to function actively. At this time congenital muscular torticollis is manifested by a head tilt to the right or left rotation in the opposite direction.

If you review other symptoms of disease in children, can be found:

• the Asymmetry of the face and skull;
• flattening of the occiput;
• the Curvature of the cervical spine;
• Club-shaped thickening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (infiltrative form).

Other symptoms of muscular torticollis in newborns depend on the form of the disease:

1. Lightweight
2. Medium;
3. Heavy.

Easy congenital muscular torticollis in infants do not manifest clinically. It occurs in children of preschool and school age. In this form, parents may notice only the following symptom: when you try to install the child's head in the correct position, she again leans to the side.

Most Often in newborns observed left-sided muscular torticollis, so we can assume that it is provoking neurological disorders on the background of cerebral hypoxia. With timely detection of diseases and prescribing drugs to improve cerebral blood supply in children can be cured of the disease within a year.

Right-sided muscular torticollis treated harder. Usually it is triggered by inflammatory or traumatic injuries of the newborn that occurred during childbirth. In this form, you may need surgical treatment.

Comprehensive treatment

Without timely treatment of muscular torticollis infants will progress. After 1 year in children, there is a strong asymmetry of face and head on the affected side. In such a situation is assigned to conservative treatment aimed at the alignment length of the sternocleidomastoid muscles on both sides of the neck:

• exercise therapy (physiotherapy);
• Massage
• Physiotherapy
• Post isometric relaxation
• Electrophoresis with iodine;
• Manual therapy.

Conservative treatment of mild diseases in newborns at home. Initially, parents are taught techniques of physical therapy, after which they daily have to do with the baby.

Most often, doctors recommend the following exercise against torticollis in infants:

• Grasp with one hand the baby's head (it needs to lie on his back). With the other hand try to tilt your head in a healthy way. Thus it is impossible exert great pressure. Also try to turn your head to the affected side. When discomfort and pain should reduce the force of impact. Gradually day by day it is necessary to increase pressure (but not pain)
• Heavy muscular torticollis requires the use of retention bandages or collar Trench. These orthotic devices prescribed by a doctor. From parents of a newborn requires only a careful observance of recommendations of experts.

exercise therapy for Krivosheiin children supplemented electrophoresis with iodine. For resolving therapy is performed about 15 procedures. During the year there are 3 courses of treatment to significantly ease the condition a little patient.

unfortunately, conservative treatment does not guarantee the absence of recurrence of the disease in the newborn after a while. To prevent the recurrence of the disease, should carefully monitor the condition of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in children.

At relapse doctors are often inclined to surgical treatment. It involves resection of the damaged legs of sternocleidomastoid muscle with its extension. In most cases, surgery is performed in children after 3 years, because in older age it is difficult. Surgical treatment of the crooked neck in newborn impossible because of the need for the introduction of General anesthesia.

There are 2 main ways surgery for Krivoshei in children:

• the Dissection of the muscles;
• to the maximum capacity of the implant.

The Choice of tactics of surgical intervention is determined by the characteristics of the pathology. After the surgery, children must undergo a rehabilitation phase where massages, therapeutic physical training, physiotherapy. Within a few months the child will be assigned to the wearing orthopedic corset or collar Trench.

do Not run Krivoshey in newborns and children, and promptly contact your physicians! The only way to effectively and quickly get rid of the curve of the neck.