Patient's question:
The child lives downstairs from us, and my daughter often visits him. But now we've noticed he has infant torticollis. There's a weak muscle on the left side of his neck, and his head keeps tilting to the left, with his chin also the left. The left and right sides of his face have grown differently, and his left eye has become smaller.What kind of assistance is needed: Can infant torticollis be cured? How is it treated?
Doctor's answer:
Children with torticollis in infancy who undergo rigorous treatment generally show satisfactory results. After the age of one, if non-surgical treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention is recommended. It is generally believed that facial deformities in patients over three years old are difficult to fully correct. For patients under two years old, a neck collar is used for postoperative immobilization. Older patients can be immobilized with a neck and chest cast, tilting the head to the healthy side and moving the chin to the affected side. After 4 to 6 weeks of immobilization, rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy should be implemented to prevent scar contracture and maintain the best possible condition.