Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 63. No. 1, 2024.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2024.63.01.19
Diagnosis and habilitation of congenital muscular torticollis: a narrative review
Valentina Matijević
; Department of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Libertas International University, Zagreb, Croatia
Danijel Mikulić
; Emergency Department, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Danijela Rašić Markota
; Zagreb Health Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Asija Rota Čeprnja
; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Split University Hospital Center, Split, Croatia
Goranka Radmilović
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; County General Hospital, Požega, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is one of the most common congenital
musculoskeletal deformities, and is defined as tilted head position with hypertonic sternocleidomastoid
muscle and limited cervical spine mobility. Incidences up to 16% have been recorded, more often in
male children. Clinical features are characterized by an inclined position of the head on the diseased
side and a gaze directed towards the healthy side, deformities such as plagiocephaly, and various
complications. In order to prevent this, it is recommended to screen all infants up to four months of age.
Diagnosis is usually made through history and physical examination. CMT treatment is carried out
conservatively, and the habilitation program is created individually, depending on the degree of CMT.
The habilitation program includes neck stretching exercises, neck muscle strengthening exercises,
motor activities that encourage a symmetrical movement pattern, adaptation to the environment,
and education and support of parents or guardians to ensure a daily, intensive home program. Early
treatment is one of the main prognostic factors on which the outcome and duration of treatment
depend. As this is the only prognostic factor that we can act on, our goal is to speed up the diagnosis
and therapy implementation until the cure.
Keywords
Congenital torticollis; Infant; Physical therapy modalities
Hrčak ID:
322486
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2024.
Visits: 46 *