Question
A four and a half month old baby has been diagnosed with right-sided torticollis, accompanied by a noticeable swelling. Additionally, the baby’s right arm is more robust than the left, although both arms move normally, the left arm’s flexibility is less than that of the right. The parents are concerned and seek professional advice.
Answer
Based on the description, the baby’s symptoms may be consistent with congenital muscular torticollis, but further diagnosis by a doctor is necessary. Congenital muscular torticollis has a low chance of spontaneous recovery without proper treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Most children receive treatment between four to six months of age, when the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle shows muscle fibrosis. Methods such as massage, turning head exercises, and passive traction can be adopted. However, due to pain and discomfort, both the child and the family may find it difficult to continue