Plagiocephaly FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is the difference between plagiocephaly and brachycephaly 'flat head syndromes'?
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- There are different names for the head shape deformities that we see. Plagiocephaly means that the head is flatter to one side, often with the brow on the flattened side pushed forwards. Brachycephaly means that the head is wider than usual. These two deformities often occur together giving a wide and asymmetric head shape. This can be caused by a number of factors including:
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- Spending too long in one position with pressure on one part of the head in early infancy
- Position in the womb
- Your baby's preferred sleeping position
- Torticollis which is an imbalance in the muscles on either side of the neck
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- What is the difference between plagiocephaly and brachycephaly 'flat head syndromes'?
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- How can I correct it ?
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- We always recommend that if your baby is less than 3 to 4 months old, that you reposition (see our repositioning guide). If repositioning and tummy time are not having any effect after about a month, then we would recommend that you consider an assessment for treatment.
If your baby has a tight neck muscle on one side, called torticollis, this should be treated by a physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropracter. Torticollis treatment will improve the neck control but may not resolve the head shape.
- How can I correct it ?
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- What is PlagioCare™ cranial remoulding?
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- PlagioCare treatment uses a very lightweight, plastic and foam helmet that is made individually for your baby. The lining is shaped to give room inside which allows your baby's hed to gently grow back into a more normal shape. The helmet allows your baby to sleep in any position he/she wants yet keeps pressure off the flat spot so there is no need to continue to reposition. Correction usually starts within the first 2 weeks and we’d expect an infant between 4 and 7 months of age to need to wear the helmet for about 12 to 16 weeks. For older infants a longer treatment time is necessary as head growth is slowing down.
- What is PlagioCare™ cranial remoulding?
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- Do I need my doctor to refer me?
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- All of our clinicians are registered healthcare professionals and are qualified to assess and diagnose for the treatments that we offer so no referal from your doctor is needed. In the UK it is unusual for a GP or consultant to refer for treatment, although this is common in other countries. If you wish to see us for an assessment, please contact us on 0113 218 8030 for an appointment at your nearest clinic. We have 6 clinics across the UK as we know that travelling long distances with a young child can be difficult.
- Do I need my doctor to refer me?
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- Does the National Health Service pay for treatment?
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- We receive very few referrals or payments from hospitals. Your GP may agree to try to gain an Exceptional Treatment approval but this is rarely successful. We will help all that we can, but our expeience is that the NHS will not pay for this treatment, even if the doctor agrees with it.
- Does the National Health Service pay for treatment?
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- Does my insurance pay for cranial remoulding treatment?
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- This is doubtful. We have never received payment from any UK insurance company for this treatment. If you are unsure, it is best to contact your insurance company and/or employer benefits coordinator to determine the type and level of coverage for orthotics to see if you or your baby qualify for funding of treatment.
- Does my insurance pay for cranial remoulding treatment?
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- How soon will we see improvement?
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- We usually start to see an improvement within the first week or two. Correction continues over time, and requires complete compliance to achieve the greatest degree of correction available. The helmet must be worn by the baby for the full length of the treatment to gain the maximum benefit. We find that the babies that we treat very easilly manage to wear a helmet and often prefer to wear it than not.
- How soon will we see improvement?
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- How do I keep the helmet clean?
- We will give instructions on cleaning when we fit the Plagiocare helmet. There is no need to buy any specialist products.
- How do I keep the helmet clean?
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- Do we need follow-up appointments?
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- Yes, your child will need regular review appointments during the course of the treatment to make sure that all is well and to adjust the orthosis. We usually need to see you at 2 - 4 week intervals depending on your baby's age and severity. We offer appointments that are frequent enough for your baby's safety but not so often that it interferes with your life too much. If you need to contact us, you can at any time during treatment.
- Do we need follow-up appointments?
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- When is treatment finished?
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- There are 3 reasons for ending treatment:
When the helmet is outgrown and there is no more room for correction.
For older infants, when growth has stopped and no more correction is occurring. This is usually around 18 months of age when head growth has slowed to a minimum.
When, even if there is growth room available, the parents are satisfied with the result and are happy to end treatment.
- When is treatment finished?
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- Will we need more than one helmet for treatment?
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- It is very unusual for an infant to need a second helmet except in cases of very severe deformity. If a second helmet is indicated, this is regarded as a second treatment and is chargeable at the full cost.
- Will we need more than one helmet for treatment?
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- Will the head revert back to the flat shape after treatment?
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- No. Many parents ask this and our experience is that head shapes continue to grow normally after treatment. As children get older, they spend more time sitting, crawling and walking which minimises the amount of time they spend on their backs. Head shapes also continue to change as the child gets older and developmental changes during childhood occur.
- Will the head revert back to the flat shape after treatment?
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- What is an Orthotist?
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- Orthotists are registered medical professionals. All Orthotists are educated for 4 years at degree level in all aspects of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and orthotic manufacturing and application. Cranial remoulding is one recognised part of an Orthotist’s work, requiring additional training and experience.
- What is an Orthotist?
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- What is the best age to start treatment?
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- The ideal age to start treatment is 4 to 7 months, but remoulding can be started up to the age of 14 months. Generally, better results are achieved within a shorter time if started when the infant is younger.
- What is the best age to start treatment?
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- Can I send pictures for you to assess?
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- If you would like us to give you an indication of whether we think that your baby would benefit from cranial remoulding treatment, please email pictures to info@technologyinmotion.com or fill out the enquiry form and we will answer by return.
- Can I send pictures for you to assess?
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- My baby is older than 18 months. Is treatment successful at this age?
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- Without growth there can be no correction and by 18 months the majority of growth has been achieved so there can, at the most, only be very limited and disappointing correction. Starting treatment after 14 to 16 months can raise false hopes so we regard treatment in older infants unethical. We do occasionally continue a treatment up to the age of 24 months if the baby is already with us and correction is continuing. If you have an older infant and are concerned, please contact us for advice.
- My baby is older than 18 months. Is treatment successful at this age?
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