Georgia's appointment with Dr. David

[boxergirldee]

Hello everyone. Well my little Georgia had a CT scan today and then we met with Dr. David.

Here's the good news::yipee

No cranio. YAY!!!

Here's the tricky part: Dr. Davis explained (she's awesome, I might add) that at her practice she has the children wear a "one size fits all" type as opposed to the DOC band. Dr. Davis says that the band they use is less invasive as it doesn't put or use pressure on the head at all. It allows the skull to grow and reshape to fill the "void" between the helmet and the skull. I hadn't heard of this other kind before. I thought it was just the DOC band and the Star band. I want whats best for Georgia, but now I'm so confused. Do any of the plagio mommys have any insight for me? Anything would be helpful.

We do have an appointment with Dr. Fearon at the end of the month, but I'm hoping you ladies could shed some light on this before I see Dr. Fearon. Thank you all in advance.

[tracy_girl05]

YAY!!!!!!!! That is sooooooooooooo exciting!!!!!! Im sorry I do not know anything about palgio-- but I am so happy for you guys!!!!!!

[*jules*]

Wonderful news for you and Georgia!!! I dont know much at all about helmet therapy but I thought all the helmets were as you described (provides a template basically for the skull to grow into to). Hmm?:dunno Anyway, Im sure you'll get some answers from a few moms who have helmet experience. Just wanted to say I was so happy for you and Georgia!!!:yipee

[EmmaLacey]

Great news on not having cranio and therefore no surgery. I can't help on the helmet stuff though. Hopefully, someone else will have some advice.

[AuburnLocks]

Hi! YAY for just plagio!

I pm'd you and will post some links later about the difference in the types of helmets/bands. I'm a big fan of the newer "active" bands as opposed to the older passive helmets just because of our own experience but I'll post info on both tonight or tomorrow. Most of the post surgical kids I've seen here seem to use the newer type of band.

[Lisa]

That is WONDERFUL news!!! I hope you can get some more information abouth the helmets, I am no help there. So happy you liked Dr. David too....

[AuburnLocks]

Just found this from a quick search on Dr. Fearon's site. This is pretty much what I found after doing a lot of research. The newer bands are just more effective and comfortable for the kids to wear. We used the doc band and were absolutely thrilled with the results.:


Deformations (Positional Plagiocephaly):

Treatment:
There are two basic types of treatment: helmets and bands. Helmets are molded to fit a child's head and are worn until they are outgrown. There may be some evidence that children who wear helmets get better, but it is not very convincing. At our center, we do not recommend helmets. We are not convinced that they are very effective, and they are uncomfortable for the child to wear. Instead, we recommend bands. There are a number of different types of bands. We prefer, and have been using, the DOC band, which was developed in Phoenix. This band is now available at a number of centers around the U.S. This band is worn 23 hours a day, and is open at the top of the head. One of the key differences between the band and the helmet, aside from the fact that it is smaller and more comfortable, is that the band is shaved down every couple of weeks, where the skull is flat, in order to direct the skull growth to fill in the flattened area. Treatment usually lasts about 14 weeks (usually the younger the child, the shorter the treatment period), and it is very important that treatment be started before the child is 10 months old. While some children begin treatment beyond this time, we believe that the benefits are small considering the much longer time that the treatment takes, and it is probably not worthwhile. Data from our center suggests that once a child has been corrected, this correction continues as the child grows, and that there is no tendency for recurrence.

[fitmomof2ae]

Yippee!! What a relief... Good luck with your helmet research.

[dannlark]

Wonderful news!! What a relief that surgery isn't the next step...phew!! I'm not familiar with the whole helmet thing, but you've gotten some great information to arm yourself with. Let us know what you decide and how this new process is going...

[Annie]

:yipee:yipee:yipee:yipee:yipee:yipee

[Janet]

:cheer great news!!

[Wyatt's Mom]

That is awesome news!!! Good luck with the helmet. Can't wait to see pictures. Whew, you must be so relieved!

[daniellelucille]

I would suggest DOC band, just because I have seen AMAZING results with Jocelyn. I posted a progress pic throughout and after 5 days it was HUGELY significant... and now after a month you would almost not know she was cranio... unless you KNEW.