1. Torticollis

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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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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