Plagiocephaly
Above the Knee Prosthesis or (trans-femoral) are uniquely different from the Below the Knee or trans-tibial prosthesis.
The most obvious difference is the anatomical knee joint is no longer present in the Above the Knee amputation, which means not only is a socket and foot required, but a prosthetic knee is also needed.
What is Deformational Plagiocephaly? (Flat Head Syndrome)
Deformational Plagiocephaly is an abnormal shape of a baby’s head caused by external forces. The baby’s head may appear to be misshapen or asymmetrical immediately after birth, or the abnormal shape may become noticeable in the first few months of life. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers are often the first ones to notice the unusual shape of the head and they usually bring it to the Pediatrician’s attention during a regular visit.
What Causes Plagiocephaly?
There are several causes of Deformational Plagiocephaly, and some of them occur before the baby is even born. Restricted space inside the mother’s womb can create excessive contact in some regions of the baby’s head. This contact is often the cause of deformation in babies positioned in a breech position, cramped in utero due to multiple fetuses, or in babies who spend excessive time with the head confined in the birth canal. Suction or vacuum instruments can also create forces that can deform the newborn skull, which is soft and pliable. The skulls of premature babies are particularly susceptible to deformation because the bone is thinner and more fragile than the skull of full-term babies
What Can I Do If My Baby Has Plagiocephaly or Another Unusual Head Shape?
The first thing you can do is talk to your Pediatrician about your baby’s head. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that Pediatricians evaluate the baby’s head at each visit from the top, sides, front and back. The AAP also recommends that the physician talk to families about how to move the baby into a lot of different positions during the day, and stress the importance of “tummy time” whenever the baby is awake and supervised.*
If your baby is diagnosed with Deformational Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly or Scaphocephaly and is between the ages of 3 and 18 months, your pediatrician or specialist may refer you to a practitioner who specializes in providing plagiocephaly helmet therapy. Each STARband Cranial Remolding Orthosis is custom made of plastic and foam to correct your baby’s head shape gently as they grow.
What Role Does The Orthotist Play On The Plagiocephaly Treatment Team?
Credentialed orthotists and prosthetic practitioners have provided cranial remolding orthoses since 1979. These health care professionals maintain high standards of continuing education through national certifying bodies, and many have specialized pediatric orthotic practices. These practitioners bring value to the orthotic treatment program with a strong background in anatomy, biomechanics, material science, and patient care. They work closely with other craniofacial team members to help your baby achieve optimal correction and results.
Four Convenient Washington State Locations
Centralia Location
1805 Cooks Hill Road
Centralia, WA 98531
Phone: (360)330-1602 / Fax: (360)-807-4511
Hours Of Operation:
Monday- Thursday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Olympia Location
208 Lilly Rd NE, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98506
Phone: (360) 338-0284 / Fax: (360) 878-8492
Hours Of Operation:
Monday- Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Silverdale Location
10689 Old Frontier Rd. NW, Ste. #201
Silverdale, WA 98383
Phone: (360) 698-2229 / Fax: (360) 698-0122
Hours Of Operation:
Monday- Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
We Partner With Manufacturers To Assure The Best Fit Possible
We work with multiple companies to source the components most appropriate for you. Some of those companies and components include Endolite, Blatchford, Ottobock, Ossur, Ohio Willow Wood, Freedom Innovations, RUSH foot, C-leg, Genium, X3, Microprocessor knees, Orion MPK. Our fitting times are typically 1-2 weeks for an AK prosthesis. Maughan Prosthetic and Orthotic utilizes 3D printers, scanners, carvers and the Symphony Aqua System to create the most accurate sockets possible.
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