CRANIAL REMOLDING HELMETS
Leading provider of STARband cranial remolding helmets
ABOUT CRANIAL REMOLDING HELMETS
faqs
What is plagiocephaly?
Since the inception of the back-to-sleep program, there has been an increase in the number of infants with skull deformities as a consequence of prolonged supine positioning. Deformational plagiocephaly, often referred to as flat head syndrome, is characterized by unusual flattening of the head, and often a prominent or flattened forehead is visible. Plagiocephaly presents in a variety of different head shapes. Deformational brachycephaly is characterized by a generalized flattening of the posterior occipital area. A large percentage of infants with deformational plagiocephaly also have torticollis, a congenital muscular tightness that limits head and neck movement. This condition can contribute to associated asymmetry and malalignment of the ears, eye orbits, cheeks and mandible. Other factors that may influence the development of positional plagiocephaly include premature births, restrictive intrauterine positioning, and/or birth trauma. Positional plagiocephaly is also more commonly seen in multiple births, affecting one or more siblings.
How can I determine if my child has plagiocephaly?
The first step is taking a good look at your child’s head shape. Since parents spend so much time with their baby, it may sometimes be difficult to see these deformational shapes. Here’s a quick guide to help you.
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I think my child has plagiocephaly. What should I do?
If you’re concerned your baby has any of these conditions, we will be happy to provide a complementary consultation to help you and your family determine the right course of action for your baby. At Coastal P&O, our clinical focus is to work as a team with you, your family, and your pediatrician to provide the best outcome for your baby. Our pediatric specialists are specially trained and experienced in caring for infants with all aspects of cranial asymmetries. Our job is to give you an honest assessment, provide detailed clinical information, and arm you with everything you’ll need to make an informed decision on the best care for your baby.
WHY CHOOSE COASTAL P&O?
Great question! When it comes to cranial remolding helmets, there may be several options to choose from. Here are some good questions to ask a provider when choosing who to entrust with your baby’s care.
Which helmets do you provide?
At Coastal P&O, we provide the Orthomerica STARband. The STAR family of helmets has a long history of success in treating deformational plagiocephaly. As the first cranial remolding orthosis with FDA clearance available to O&P practitioners across the United States and around the globe, over 400,000 infants have been successfully treated with the STARband.How are you going to scan my baby’s head?
As part of our commitment to provide the best technology for you and your baby, we use the Orthomerica STARscanner for all our assessment scans. The STARscanner is able to scan a baby’s head in under 2 seconds, clearly superior to commonly used hand-held scanners and cameras which require infants to stay still for minutes at a time. These scans instantly produce clinical data, which is valuable for determining the severity of cranial asymmetry at the initial evaluation, and clinical progress at follow up appointments.
How many helmets will my baby need? Do I have to pay for additional helmets?
When it comes to deformational plagiocephaly, based on our vast clinical experience and expertise, the most babies will only need one helmet. However, in those instances when a baby does need a second helmet, we believe your family should never be burdened with additional costs just to complete the treatment. While we hear other providers may bill their patients separately for each helmet they provide, at Coastal P&O there will only be one cost per treatment. If a second helmet is necessary, we’ll be happy to provide it at no additional cost to you. That’s our way of making sure you will never be surprised with hidden costs after treatment begins.
Is your office convenient for moms, babies, and their siblings?
At Coastal P&O, we have purposely designed our office with our patients in mind. We never want to burden our patients with inconveniences such as having to pay for parking, or taking crowded elevators. Our ground floor office has an entrance 15 feet from the parking lot, with ramps conveniently located for strollers. Parking is free, which is a huge benefit considering the number of appointments needed during the helmet treatment. Our spacious waiting room also provides ample room for children to play, or just relax in front of the television.
Can I trust your orthotist with my baby? Will he/she be pushy about a helmet?
At Coastal P&O, we’re passionate about people. All of our clinicians are parents themselves. In fact, some of us even have personal experience in treating our own child with a helmet for plagiocephaly. We know how it feels to worry if we’re making the best decision for our children. Our job is to help you through this process. Fortunately, when it comes to deformational plagiocephaly, there is no evidence that shows flat heads will lead to neurological issues, even if left untreated. Therefore, you’ll never hear us say “your baby needs a helmet.” Our job is to give you all the information you’ll need, answer all your questions, and allow you to determine what’s best for you and your family. You may even hear us tell you what we would do if it was our child, but rest assured, the final decisions will always be 100% made by you.
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