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Newborn Torticollis
Torticollis is also known as infant or congenital muscular torticollis. In Latin, torticollis means ‘twisted neck’.
It is common to see this after birth or can take up to 3 months to develop.
It can be caused by the tightening of the muscle known as sternocleidomastoid; it causes the chin to turn away and the head to tilt towards the shortened muscle.
Some babies will have an associated swelling over the muscle that will gradually subside and/or plagiocephaly which is a flattening of the head. Plagiocephaly in isolation does not require physiotherapy input.
Torticollis can be more common in babies with the following:
- Breech presentation
- Forceps delivery
- Trauma
- Repetitive positioning e.g. head always turned to one side in cot
Most babies do not have pain associated with the torticollis and with following the advice and exercises from your physiotherapist it will resolve. In most cases no further input is required later in life. In rare cases, muscle tightening can persist and may require an orthopaedic review.
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis and treatment
Follow Up Appointment
Signs and symptoms
- Head turning preference – mostly looking in one direction and/or unable to hold head in midline
- A swelling over the neck region
Diagnosis and treatment
Torticollis is diagnosed by examining the resting position and movement of the neck.
The following links will provide you with further information and guidance to start prior to your physiotherapy appointment.
Follow Up Appointment
Your baby will be referred for a physiotherapy appointment to review the progress of the feet.
It is routine to be referred for a hip ultrasound scan. Please speak to your Health Visitor if you require any more information.
For further advice and guidance call Dolphin Physiotherapy Outpatients on 029 218 47577
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
