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You're right the shifting is normal but covering the eye is not ok. You definately need to get your orthotist to fix that. They can add a pad in the back or on the cheek. A helmet comes back with approx 3/4" room for growth. They can measure the inside of the helmet... and if it truly is too big they can make it tighter. I would call them and go back in for an adjustment. Sorry I'm not there! I would volunteer!!
mantsingw <mantsingw@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi, Amy,
Thank you so much for the explanation. If I could, I'd like to get
more opinion from you :
My son's helmet seems to be really loose. It shifts around and need
frequent adjustment to keep it stay in the right position. I know
because his head is not symmetrical, the helmet wouldn't fit. But I'm
worried that there's not enough holding effect if it's so loose -
especially at night, when he shift his head in sleep, the helmet
doesn't stay at all and sometime even cover one of his eyes! Does this
sound correct, even for the first week? What should I do?
I hope you see this and would appreciate anyone else's opinion on this.
Thanks to all!
--- In Plagiocephaly@yahoogroups.com, Amelia Rosetta
<amelia_rosetta@...> wrote:
>
> It seems that everyone else has already explained the holding points
to you. I just wanted to let you know.... I am a certified orthotist
at Hanger. The Hanger band is considered active; however, I can see
both sides.... I can see how someone might call it passive because it
is not fitting tight and pushing on the holding areas and actively
reshaping. It is just holding and waiting for the head to grow and
fill the void areas. But it is an active band.
>
> I take lots of measurements every visit with a ML gauge (that
looks like an old wooden ruler). I take ML, AP, circumference, and
cranial vault. Sometimes I will take more depending on the situation.
I keep a running chart that allows me to see how much growth has been
acheived. Ishare this info with the parents. I would ask your ortho
for a copy so you can see what is going on. A close follow up is
important with helmets. Babies can hit a growth spurt and change
overnight! If you aren't seeing your orthotist very often, just watch
your sons head carefully. Watch it for changes in red areas. Also
watch the tightness of the helmet or strap.
>
> It seems to me that you and your orthotist arent on the same page.
If you want to see them every 2 weeks for a peace of mind, your
orthotist should allow that. The child might not need adjustments
everytime but at least you get new measurements. If you have other
options... such as another Hanger facility nearby.... you could go get
a second opinion. They should not charge you as they are all Hangers.
I hope this helps and I hope you get great results.
>
> Amy
>
>
> mantsingw <mantsingw@...> wrote:
> Hi, thank you so much for the information. I'm so
desperate for more
> knowledge on this - I've been struggling for the past months trying to
> get the the right treatment for my son. However, I have to use hanger
> because the insurance and timing issue...
>
> Could you explain to me what is the "holding points" in the bands? I
> believe my son is getting a "Passive" band as the orthortist exactly
> told us that " this band does not need adjustment and rounding will be
> achieved by the round shape for the skull to grow in to"! Will a
> passive band ever work?
>
> My son's helmet seems to be a little bit loose, especially the flat
> side - he doesn't seem to care at all and has been happily wearing 23
> hours since day 1! Is this normal?
>
> Also, regarding the measurement, the orthortist did the scan, but we
> were never told the results, but only a rough number that he got by
> measuring my son's head with an old wooden ruler! What numbers I
> should get in order to compare results in the future?
>
> Is "shave the inside foam" every 2 weeks a MUST or just something "
> nice to have" ?
>
> I really appreciate your advise and it's important to me...
>
> Anyone else who can help on these questions, please share your
experience.
>
> Thank you!
>
> --- In Plagiocephaly@yahoogroups.com, JenandLuli@ wrote:
> >
> > HI! I am also in CA and we also used Hanger. I am a bit
> surprised that they said no adjustments would be needed. We went in
> every 2 weeks and almost every time they shaved a bit off of the
> inside foam - wherever there was wear. Hangers are considered "active"
> bands, meaning they have holding points and they actively direct the
> growth of the skull. Versus a "passive" band which does not need
> adjustment and rounding is achieved by the band providing a round
> shape for the skull to grow in to.
> > I wonder how much education on banding this ortho has - do you know?
> > If a poor scan in 1st taken then yes, a poor band will be made. And
> no good growth will come from a poor band. How is the band fitting
> now? I know for us it took a few trips to the ortho to get a right
> fit. Is it excessivley loose? Are there any holding points or does
> it shift all over?
> >
> >
> > Jen and Luli - 24 months
> > Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA
> > http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: mantsingw <mantsingw@>
> > To: Plagiocephaly@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 4:14 pm
> > Subject: [Plagio] Questions regarding using Hanger Helmet...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi, I'm in California. My son is 6.5 months and he just had his helmet
> > on last Friday.
> >
> > It seems that a lot of people recommend STARband from Orthomerica in
> > my area. However, we had to go with Hanger as the Orthotist the doctor
> > referred within our insurance group works with Hanger and their scan
> > software is not compatible with that in Orthomerica so he can not
> > order starband for us.
> >
> > After reading the comments here and conducting some online research,
> > I'm a little bit worried.
> >
> > Our orthotist is friendly, but he told me that he foresees no need to
> > make any significant adjustment to the helmet during the whole
> > treatment, but that the key to ensure effectiveness is to Keep wearing
> > the helmet in the correct way 23 hours a day. I read a parent say "It
> > all depends on your orthotist and his or her experience with banding
> > babies." Does this mean that our orthotist isn't good as he obviously
> > doesn't plan to do anything unless there's scratch or irritations on
> > the baby's head due to wearing the helmet.
> >
> > Here's my question:
> >
> > What is the key factor that will affect the effectiveness of the
> > helmet treatment? Is it the technology the firm uses to cast/scan to
> > capture the head data accurately or the construction of the helmet
> > itself or the experience of the orthotist? What kind of adjustment
> > usually a good orthotist will need to do during the treatment?
> >
> > How likely the chances are that the hemlet is constructed in the wrong
> > way at the beginning due to the wrong data or technology so that no
> > matter how hard we try later, no desired results will be achieved?
> >
> > I know I have a lot of questions on this, but please share your
> > experience or comments on any question that you think can help... I'm
> > willing to switch my insurance in order to get my son the effective
> > treatment. Thanks for your help!!
> >
> > Good luck to all...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________________
> > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
> http://webmail.aol.com
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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March
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