Human Technology, Inc. Prosthetics and Orthotics Honors |
Posted: August 19, 2014 |
Human Technology, Inc. Prosthetics and Orthotics addresses the needs of children and teenagers with conditions that require orthotic or prosthetic intervention such as traumatic brain injury, burns, neurological disorders, limb deficiency and limb sparing, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, scoliosis and plagiocephaly. In honor of Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month, we would like to share information on cranial helmets. A cranial helmet is a device used to reshape the heads of infants with particular kinds of deformities. Helmets can typically treat both plagiocephaly and brachiocephaly, conditions in which part of the head is flattened, with some degree of success. The goal of a cranial helmet is to guide the growth of the head back into a symmetrical shape without putting pressure on the head. It is often worn for several months before the infant reaches the age at which the growth of the head slows, making reshaping more difficult. An infant usually will require a cranial helmet that has been specifically fitted to his or her head. This is usually accomplished by scanning or molding the baby's head to produce a custom helmet which provides the necessary corrective forces to reshape the head. There are a variety of helmet designs that may cover the entire head or leave part of the head open to air. A doctor will usually select the most appropriate design and write the prescription for the consultation with an Orthotist. The amount of time a child should wear his or her helmet will be determined in consultation with the physician. Typically, a child will wear his or her helmet 23 hours a day for 3-4 months. Children may be treated from 3-18 months of age while treatment can be most effective between 3-9 months of age. By following the physician’s and orthotist instructions, a 40-50% correction in cranial vault asymmetry is considered by most to be a success. Worry overwhelms newborn parents when they notice mild deformities in their babies' skulls. Many questions…….. Is this normal? Is this a problem? What do we do about it? Will this go away by itself? It is perfectly normal for your newborn baby to have an abnormal head shape. Abnormal head shapes caused by the birth process should begin to resolve over time, within a few weeks. However, if any flat spots or abnormal shaping are still apparent, some intervention may be required to correct the problem. To be absolutely sure of the normalcy of your baby's head shape, please consult your physician. Tennessee is home to The Craniofacial Foundation of America, a non-profit organization that supports the work of the Tennessee Craniofacial Center at Children's Hospital at Erlanger and Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga. To learn more, visit craniofacialfoundation.org. From head to toe, a full-range of pediatric services is offered to provide improved functional outcomes at Human Technology, Inc. P & O. Simple preventative orthotics for flat feet can eliminate future deficits as an adult. Specialty orthoses can be custom made to address each child’s unique needs for conditions such as scoliosis, foot drop or hip disorders. Just as children are continually growing, the pediatric clinical team of Human Technology, Inc. Prosthetics and Orthotics is continually learning and committed to advanced training and education. The Orthotists and Prosthetists provide the latest techniques and services available in lower and upper extremity bracing and prosthesis to meet the needs of pediatrics through geriatrics at the numerous locations throughout Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. Carbon Fiber Ankle Foot Orthotics such as the “Feather Walker” can take the place of traditional plastic devices on some kids with foot and ankle issues such as foot drop.
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