Plagiocephaly

Orthotic & Prosthetic Solutions offers a quantifiable, medical-based model to first treat plagiocephaly conservatively through physical therapy followed by orthotic management only under very specific guidelines. Our model offers dual therapy appointments including an orthotist and physical therapist at all patient visits. During each session, we teach an aggressive parent education and repositioning program while monitoring cranial symmetry and performing analysis on a myriad of cranial measurements. If significant changes have not occurred after the six-week program and the child continues to present with moderate to severe plagiocephaly, orthotic treatment is then discussed. We evaluate and determine the severity of plagiocephaly as described by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Plagiocephaly Classification System.

This program represents a medical-based model that prevents premature and unnecessary orthotic management. Our careful attention to every aspect of child and familial involvement ensures that each patient and their family get the best possible care. Our program is broken down into three categories, which are listed below:

Patient and Family Education

  • Tummy Time written and verbal instructions
  • Interactive parental involvement with stretching program
  • Repositioning program for parents

Physical Therapy and Orthotic Screening (Dual Treatment)

  • Six-week custom exercise program
  • Five-point severity assessment
  • Cranial index tracking
  • Measurement tracking systems
  • Allotment of time at the end of every appointment for question and answers with the orthotist and physical therapist
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Classification

Orthotic Treatment and Physical Therapy Monitoring (Dual Treatment)

  • Casting and measurements taken
  • Parents given educational information regarding cranial remolding orthoses
  • Fitting and delivery of cranial remolding orthosis
  • Continued monitoring of physical therapy needs
  • Weekly follow-up appointments until 6 months and every 2 weeks after
  • Radiograph monitoring for treatment end
  • Follow-up appointments provided to decrease the chance of relapse