- Congenital muscular torticollis aka wry neck
- Seen in infants
- Due to tightness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) of the neck presenting as head tilted to the affected side and chin rotated to opposite side of the shortened muscle
- Caused by intrauterine malposition, birth trauma, positioning after birth
- Risk increased with use of forceps during delivery and Plagiocephaly (head flatness) after birth
- Other conditions to be ruled out by paediatrician include cervical abnormalities, infections, tumors
Physiotherapy Treatment may include
- Gentle stretching to SCM muscle to achieve normal range of movement
- Gentle strengthening of neck and shoulder muscles to develop stability and achieve neutral neck position and development of balance reactions
- Gentle massage to SCM muscle
- Monitoring of physical milestone development to prevent developmental delay