Question
My baby was born with muscular torticollis, and after 3 months of massage, there has been no improvement. I want to undergo surgical treatment. What is the success rate of the surgery? Will it recur? At what age can the baby undergo surgery?
Answer
Based on the baby’s current age, it is advisable to continue with manual traction, massage, or regional physical therapy and not to rush into surgical treatment. Generally, torticollis symptoms will disappear within a year. Surgical treatment is usually applicable for infants over 1 year old who have not shown improvement, and involves the removal or partial removal of the contracted muscles of the sternocleidomastoid and clavicle. After surgery, the head and neck must be immobilized and corrected, and passive head and neck movements should be performed daily.