The "baseball cap orthosis": a simple solution for dropped head syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is characterized by progressive head ptosis, often leading to a chin-on-chest deformity.
• This condition results from severe weakness of the neck extensor muscles, impacting cervical spine stability.
• DHS significantly diminishes patients' quality of life and functional independence.

Observation:

• The study presents two cases of patients diagnosed with dropped head syndrome.
• These patients experienced significant disability due to their inability to maintain an upright head posture.

Findings:

• A novel, simple device termed the "baseball cap orthosis" was developed to address DHS.
• This orthosis aims to assist patients in holding their head in a more functional, upright position.

Implications:

• The baseball cap orthosis offers a potential conservative management strategy for dropped head syndrome.
• This device may improve head control and enhance the quality of life for individuals with DHS.
• Further research can explore the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this orthotic intervention.