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Chiropractic Management of Infantile Torticollis With Associated Abnormal Fixation of One Eye: A Case Report
1Chiropractor, Holbeinpraxis, Swiss Academy for Chiropractic, Berne, Switzerland.
Insights
Chiropractic care effectively managed a young child's torticollis and abnormal eye fixation. Treatment involved spinal manipulation, leading to symptom resolution within four weeks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Chiropractic Care
- Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Torticollis and abnormal eye fixation are complex pediatric conditions.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for optimal outcomes.
- Identifying underlying mechanical causes can inform treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the chiropractic management of a pediatric case.
- To investigate the efficacy of chiropractic interventions for torticollis and associated eye abnormalities.
- To explore potential mechanical spinal etiologies in pediatric torticollis.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 23-month-old child with torticollis and abnormal right eye fixation.
- Chiropractic examination revealed restricted cervical spine motion and pain at C1/C2.
- Treatment included spinal manipulative therapy, massage, and stretching of cervical muscles.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in torticollis observed within 4 weeks (3 treatments).
- Abnormal right eye fixation resolved concurrently with torticollis.
- No recurrence of symptoms at 26-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Chiropractic care demonstrated a favorable response in this pediatric case.
- Findings suggest a potential mechanical spinal contribution to the child's torticollis and secondary eye fixation.
- This case highlights the role of chiropractic in addressing complex pediatric presentations.
Objective:
The purpose of this case report is to describe the chiropractic management of a child with abnormal fixation of one eye and torticollis.
Clinical Features:
A mother presented with a concern regarding her 23-month-old son who had a history of torticollis and an abnormal fixation of the right eye. She noticed the head tilt when he was about 7 months old and abnormal alignment of the right eye when the boy was 18 months old. At 15 months when he took his first steps, his head tilt became worse. At 21 months old, a neurological and orthopedic examination at the regional university children`s hospital ruled out presence of a tumor of the cervical spine or posterior fossa. The orthopedist sent the baby for chiropractic evaluation and treatment. Chiropractic exam found decreased active and passive range of motion in the cervical spine and no evidence of mass or contracture of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Segmental palpation showed a decreased joint play and pain reaction at level C1/C2 on the right.
Intervention And Outcome:
The chiropractic treatment consisted of spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine in addition to massage and stretching of the neck muscles. Within a period of 4 weeks (3 chiropractic treatments) the torticollis was nearly resolved and the abnormal fixation of the right eye was no longer apparent. No relapse of the symptomatology was observed at a follow-up consultation at 26 months.
Conclusion:
The patient responded favorably to chiropractic care, showing a possible mechanical spinal cause for his torticollis and for the secondarily developed abnormal fixation of the right eye.
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