Plagiocephaly (asymmetry), brachycephaly (excessive width), and scaphocephaly are rising. Infants wearing a cranial remolding orthosis, commonly known as a cranial helmet, are becoming a more familiar and acceptable sight. Cranial Center has treated thousands of children with head shape abnormalities stemming from Plagiocephaly, craniofacial disorders, and post-op craniosynostosis. At Cranial Center, you will find a caring and highly trained staff with unparalleled expertise in treating infants with STARband™ cranial remolding orthoses and Clarren Helmet.
Treating these cranial malformations is crucial to reduce the risk of ear infections, jaw misalignment, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and orbital asymmetries, which can cause vision and balance problems. Additionally, a social stigma is associated with an unusual-looking head and face. Early detection and treatment and compliance with a treatment program are critical to a successful outcome.
Early detection allows for repositioning efforts, which are most effective in young infants, especially during the first 12 weeks, but can still be beneficial up to 4-6 months. However, more than repositioning efforts may be required in cases where the flattening or asymmetry is severe. The most effective treatment in such cases is a cranial helmet or band. Detecting the condition early enables physicians and orthotists at the Cranial Center in Morristown to capture a three-dimensional scanned image using modern technology. This facilitates tracking repositioning and cranial remolding progress throughout the treatment plan.
When a cranial orthosis is indicated, the treatment principles are universal. Custom molded helmets support the heightened or pronounced areas of the infant's skull while leaving room for the less developed areas to grow and fill in. As the brain follows the path of least resistance, it extends into the regions of the skull that are not under resistance, gradually resulting in a more rounded and even skull shape. Importantly, this "re-directed" growth has no adverse effects on brain development.
However, it is essential to note that helmet therapy is contraindicated in cases of craniosynostosis, a condition where the sutures in an infant's skull fuse prematurely. Early diagnosis is crucial as closed sutures must be surgically opened before a cranial molding orthosis is used. Parents are encouraged to speak to their pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric neurosurgeon and orthotist if they have concerns about flattening, asymmetry, or disproportion of their infant's head. Early detection enables the development of appropriate treatment protocols for optimal outcomes.
Once a diagnosis is made and a prescription is written, the orthotist examines the infant and discusses the treatment program, including repositioning efforts, therapy treatment for congenital muscular torticollis, and, when indicated, using a cranial remolding helmet or band. This coordinated approach ensures effective communication between the infant's parents, physical therapist, orthotist, and referring physician.
Almost all infants show an improvement in their overall head shape during treatment, with the best outcomes observed in younger infants. The "sweet spot" for therapy is typically within the range of four to eight months, although significant results can still be achieved up to eighteen months of age. If you're looking for a cranial helmet near me, consider visiting the Cranial Center Morristown at New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute.
Cranial Center has treated thousands of children with head shape abnormalities stemming from Plagiocephaly, craniofacial disorders, and post-op craniosynostosis. Our caring and professional staff has recently celebrated 40 years of treating our patients. Cranial Center has three (3) convenient locations for our patients in Morristown, Hackensack, and Hazlet, NJ.
NOTICE: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for a patient/physician relationship.
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