Congenital torticollis (Congenital neck curvature)
The curvature is noticeable after birth. The child's neck is turned to the affected side, the chin is turned to the opposite shoulder. Stiffness and mass are palpable on the neck muscle (sternocleidomastoid muscle) that is involved after birth. This mass may regress over time.
It is more common in first birth or miscarriage. It is thought that it may have occurred due to posture disorder in the mother's womb. Since these patients may have congenital hip dislocation and foot disorders, they should be investigated.
The clinic is very different. There are findings ranging from mild limitation of movement to excessive head deformity (plagicephaly). It may be accompanied by bat ears. Older children may come with the suspicion that there is a curvature in the waist because one shoulder is high. X-ray examination should investigate whether there is any change in the neck vertebrae, and MRI examination should be performed when necessary.
90% of the patients can improve with massage and exercise and excellent results can be obtained. As soon as the diagnosis is made, exercise is described to the parents and the child's exercise program is started. Exercises should be done gently. In addition to the stretching exercises, maneuvers that will enable the child to turn actively on the affected side should be performed. Putting the toy or television on the opposite side of the curvature, etc.
Surgical intervention should be avoided in infancy and walking period. Surgical treatment is applied in 10% of cases. Usually, surgical treatment is performed at school age. Surgery gives good results. In the surgical application, the lengthening of the neck muscle is provided. Stretching exercises should be restarted after surgery. The problem can be solved without the use of any device by giving exercise after the surgery.
