Torticollis

What is it? Also known as Wryneck Head and chin are tilted at opposite angles, causing head to twist Asymmetrical Appearance Effected muscle:sternocleidomastoid

What is it? Can exist before or at birth Congenital Muscular Torticollis Can occur during childhood up through adult age Acquired/Noncongenital Muscular Torticollis Both cause asymmetrical appearance and function in the neck and head of those afflicted

Prevalence Less than .4% of newborns Torticollis does not prefer one side of head or the other In CMT, ratio of boys to girls is 3:2 Increased head size in male babies

Prevalence In adults, noncongenital muscular torticollis has an average onset of 40 years old Females twice as likely afflicted than males Usually equal distribution between right and left side of body afflicted Slightly more right torticollis in older female populations

Causes? Not well understood Almost 80 entities have been reported to cause torticollis Common causes: Developmental disorders affecting sternocleidomastoid muscle Imbalance in function of cervical muscles Other abnormalities in skull/cervical area

Other Causes Genetic defect Infants position during pregnancy or delivery Tumors in head or neck Arthritis of neck Pseudotumors in infants Certain medications Genes More likely to be afflicted if family member had torticollis or similar disorder

Symptoms Adults and Children: Abnormal contraction of the neck Limited range of motion Stiff neck muscles Possible swelling and pain Can often be mistaken for more serious condition See medical professional immediately

Symptoms Infants: Tilting of chin Small mass (pseudotumor) in neck Small neck spasms Diagnosed before 1 month old = shorter physical therapy

Prognosis Most helpful diagnosis is made early Not life threatening May self correct itself May be chronic and reoccurring Any complications may result from compressed nerve roots

Treatments Stretching and lengthening affected neck muscles Applying heat, massage, analgesics Can be combined with TENS Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Medical treatment—Bacolfen or Botox Injection every three months

Treatments Surgery in severe cases Patients whose pathology does not resolve after 12 months of physical therapy or who develops facial asymmetry Risk of injury to spinal nerves

Preventive Measures Nearly impossible to prevent Become familiar with symptoms Seek medical attention Other serious conditions may be confused for Torticollis and are not treated correctly

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