DIAGNOSIS AND HABILITATION OF CONGENITAL MUSCULAR TORTICOLLIS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is one of the most common congenital musculoskeletal deformities, and is defined as tilted head position with hypertonic sternocleidomastoid muscle and limited cervical spine mobility. Incidences up to 16% have been recorded, more often in male children. Clinical features are characterized by an inclined position of the head on the diseased side and a gaze directed towards the healthy side, deformities such as plagiocephaly, and various complications. In order to prevent this, it is recommended to screen all infants up to four months of age. Diagnosis is usually made through history and physical examination. CMT treatment is carried out conservatively, and the habilitation program is created individually, depending on the degree of CMT. The habilitation program includes neck stretching exercises, neck muscle strengthening exercises, motor activities that encourage a symmetrical movement pattern, adaptation to the environment, and education and support of parents or guardians to ensure a daily, intensive home program. Early treatment is one of the main prognostic factors on which the outcome and duration of treatment depend. As this is the only prognostic factor that we can act on, our goal is to speed up the diagnosis and therapy implementation until the cure.