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| Frequently
Asked Questions by Parents |
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What
is deformational plagiocephaly?
Is
deformational plagiocephaly more common than it used to be?
How
do cranial remolding orthoses work?
How
do I know if my infant needs a cranial remolding orthosis?
What
is the ideal age for cranial remolding orthosis treatment?
What
if my pediatrician tells me that my infant's head shape will correct
on its own?
Why
is treatment more effective between 4 - 7 months than at other ages?
Are
there different kinds of cranial remolding orthoses?
Why
does Orthomerica manufacture so many different kinds of Cranial
Remolding Orthoses?
Is
one style of cranial remolding orthosis better than another?
Why
would my physician or orthotist choose a cranial remolding orthosis
manufactured by Orthomerica?
What
kind of health care professional will be treating my child?
How
do I get an Orthomerica cranial remolding orthosis for my infant?
What
is the history of cranial remolding orthoses?
Do
all credentialed orthotists and prosthetists have experience providing
cranial remolding orthoses?
What
is the difference between a casting and scanning procedure?
Once
a cast or scan is sent to Orthomerica, how long will it take to
get my child's cranial remolding orthosis?
How
often will my infant need to see the orthotist for follow-up and/or
adjustments?
What
kind of adjustments can we expect throughout the course of the treatment
program?
How
do I clean Orthomerica Cranial Remolding Orthoses?
How
should Orthomerica orthoses fit on my baby's head?
If
I have questions regarding my infant's orthosis and/or treatment
program, whom should I contact?
Can
I contact Orthomerica directly if I have questions or concerns about
my infant's treatment?
How
long will the cranial remolding orthosis treatment program last?
Will
my child need more than one cranial remolding orthosis during treatment?
When
will treatment be discontinued?
How
often should I see my referring physician?
Will
my insurance cover Orthomerica's cranial remolding orthoses?
Where
can I find more information about deformational plagiocephaly and cranial
remolding orthoses?
Once
my infant has completed the cranial remolding orthosis treatment
program with an Orthomerica orthosis, would it be helpful to share
my experience with others?
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What
is deformational plagiocephaly?
Deformational plagiocephaly is characterized by unusual flattening of
an infant's head and often a prominent or flattened forehead is visible.
Plagiocephaly exhibits a variety of different head shapes, including
flattening on one side of the back of the head with an asymmetric
forehead, and brachycephalic head shapes that are flat across the
entire back of the head with very prominent foreheads. |
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Is
deformational plagiocephaly more common than it used to be?
The incidence of deformational plagiocephaly has increased since 1992
when the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that parents
place infants on their backs or sides to sleep in order to prevent
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This highly effective program has
dropped the SIDS rate in the United States and across the world
by 40%. However, the additional time many infants spend in infant
seats, car seats, and other supine (back) positions places them
at risk to develop greater flatness and/or asymmetrically shaped
heads. But this program alone is not responsible for the increased
incidence. Other factors that may influence the development of deformational plagiocephaly include: premature births, restrictive intrauterine
positioning, cervical spinal abnormalities and/or birth trauma.
Deformational plagiocephaly is commonly seen in multiple births, affecting
one or more siblings.
As
many as 85% of the infants with deformational plagiocephaly also have
torticollis. This condition is caused by tightness or weakness on
one side of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck. When one
side of this muscle is shortened, the infant's head bends forward,
tilts toward the shoulder on the affected side, and the face rotates
toward the opposite shoulder. This muscle tightness or imbalance
causes the head to rest consistently in the same position, creating
areas of flatness on the back of the skull and compensatory growth
in order areas of the head. Physical therapy is often prescribed
to address torticollis. Home programs for stretching and massage
of the affected muscle are very successful at addressing this problem.
Orthomerica
has published a repositioning
guide in english and spanish
and a program called "Tummy
Time Tools" to provide you with more information.
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How
do cranial remolding orthoses work?
The cranial remolding orthosis treatment program focuses on redirecting
cranial growth toward greater symmetry. This is accomplished by
maintaining contact over the prominent areas of the head, and allowing
room for growth in the areas of flattening. This treatment has been
used by medical professionals since 1979 when Sterling Clarren,
MD wrote the first article about the use of cranial remolding orthoses
for infants with deformational plagiocephaly and torticollis.
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How
do I know if my infant needs a cranial remolding orthosis?
There are certain signs that may indicate that your infant needs a
cranial remolding orthosis. However, please keep in mind that some
degree of asymmetry in the skull is normal for everyone, so it is
actually the magnitude of the asymmetry that indicates whether treatment
with a cranial remolding orthosis is warranted. If you recognize that
your infant's face is not symmetrical, their head is higher or wider
than normal, or that there is flatness on the back side of their head,
you may want to visit your physician for further assessment. |
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What
is the ideal age for cranial remolding orthosis treatment?
The best age for treatment is between 4 and 7 months when the skull
is growing at the fastest rate. However, cranial remolding orthoses
can be used successfully between 3 and 18 months of age. Caregivers
should try to reposition for at least two months prior to initiating
treatment with a cranial remolding orthosis unless the infant is
older than 7 months. At this point, infants are able to reposition
themselves, and caregiver efforts to reposition are often futile.
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What
if my pediatrician tells me that my infant's head shape will correct
on its own?
Historically, many head shape deformities present at birth disappeared
within about 6 weeks because babies were placed in a number of different
positions during the day and slept on their tummies at night. Since
the Back to Sleep program was initiated in 1992, these head shape
deformities often persist because babies sleep on their back all night
and spend extended time on their backs during the day in infant carriers,
swings, car seats, etc. Parents must be vigilant about changing the
infant's position more than in any other period of child rearing.
Babies that spend most of their time on their backs in the early months
roll and crawl later than usual, which results in even more time before
the infant is able to actively reposition themselves. The best way
to help your infant's head correct "on its own" is to place your infant
in a variety of positions during the time your infant is awake and
supervised. This will encourage your infant to actively move their
head through a full range of motion, strengthen their neck, shoulder
and trunk muscles, and minimize pressure on the back of the head.
More suggested repositioning activities are available in "Tummy
Time Tools", a document that can be downloaded from Orthomerica's
website. It is possible that your efforts to reposition your infant
will be rewarded with a more symmetrical head shape that does not
require further intervention. However, if your infant's head does
not change after two months of alternate positioning, make sure your
pediatrician understands that you have tried prone and other positions
to help make the infant's head more symmetrical, and the skull has
not corrected. Then ask your pediatrician if your infant would benefit
from a cranial remolding orthosis, and/or request a referral to a
craniofacial specialist. |
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Why
is treatment more effective between 4 - 7 months than at other ages?
Even
though the head grows fastest during the first 3 months of life,
this time period is best spent actively repositioning your infant
to encourage more symmetry. Between 4 and 7 months of age, the head
grows about 1 cm per month*, and this rapid growth can be harnessed
within the orthosis to produce rapid change in the desired direction
of growth. At this point, the infant is starting to develop more
head control and can tolerate the additional 6-8 ounces of weight
from the helmet. It is actually the infant's own growth that is
the most active part of any orthotic treatment program. The orthosis
is specially designed to make total contact in the areas of the
skull where growth needs to be curbed, and allow space in the areas
where growth is desirable. Between 8-12 months, the skull still
grows quickly, but the rate is reduced to 0.5 cm per month*. Between
13-18 months, the rate drops below 0.5 cm per month*, and the skull
begins to get thicker. Change is still possible in these older babies,
but change is slower and generally requires longer treatment programs.
*
Infant head growth charts are available at www.edc.com
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Are
there different kinds of cranial remolding orthoses?
Yes, there are different styles of cranial remolding orthoses. You
may see pictures of various designs that are made with different kinds
of plastic materials, with or without soft liners, with or without
straps, with different colors or patterns, and with or without ventilation
holes. Essentially, all cranial remolding orthoses work in a similar
manner by directing growth of the infant's head into a more symmetrical
or proportionate shape. Currently, Orthomerica offers the widest variety
of designs, including the STARband, STARlight (band, cap, and bivalve),
and Clarren Helmet. |
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Why
does Orthomerica manufacture so many different kinds of Cranial
Remolding Orthoses?
The variety of designs and materials available from Orthomerica
allows the practitioner to choose a design that will achieve the
best results for the patient's unique skull shape and circumstances.
Orthomerica's
cranial designs include:
STARband:
This design is appropriate for all head shapes except scaphocephaly,
which is a long, narrow head shape. The STARband is made of a plastic
shell with 1/2" foam liner. A mold of the infant's head is modified
at Orthomerica to produce a more symmetrical head shape. The practitioner
sees the infant every two weeks (or more often during periods of
rapid growth) and may shave additional material out of the STARband
to allow space in the areas of flatness. The side and top openings
make this a lightweight and easy to apply orthosis for caretakers,
and is the most popular cranial design at Orthomerica because it
is appropriate for so many different head shapes. The STARband is
an active design.
STARlight
Bivalved: This design was originally created to treat infants
with scaphocephaly, a long and narrow head shape. The mold is usually
modified to allow more space along the sides of the infant's head
where growth is desired, but it can also be modified in a variety
of ways to manage other head shapes. It is made from clear plastic
with a front and back shell held in place at the top, and has a
Velcro( strap that fastens at the back of the orthosis. The clear
plastic allows visualization of the areas of total contact and space,
and can be altered with a heat gun to accommodate growth in specific
areas. The STARlight Bivalved Orthosis is an active
design.
STARlight
Band: This orthosis is made of clear plastic, and has side and
top openings similar to the STARband. It is an extremely lightweight
band, and is beneficial for very young babies, or for a infant who
may need another orthosis for a short period of time until the infant
is rolling or sitting up independently. The band can be heat-molded
to accommodate growth and is an active design.
STARlight
Cap: This orthosis is clear plastic and has no top or side openings.
This is an effective orthosis for a variety of head shape and allows visualization of the areas of total contact
and flatness.
The band can be heat-molded to accommodate growth, and is an active
design.
Clarren
Helmet: This design was originated by Sterling Clarren MD of
Seattle Children's Hospital in 1979 to treat infants with deformational plagiocephaly. It is made from a plastic shell with a thin liner
incorporated for comfort. All the modifications are built in to
the helmet from the start, so follow up appointments are less frequent
than with other types of remolding orthoses. This is the only Orthomerica
design with a chin strap which helps to suspend the orthosis on
the infant's head. The Clarren Helmet is considered to be a passive
design.
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Is
one style of cranial remolding orthosis better than another?
Currently there are no studies that compare one product to another.
The FDA actively regulates the manufacturing process of all cranial
remolding orthoses styles, and each design offered by Orthomerica
has received FDA clearance. The specific cranial design is selected
based on the infant's head shape and the treatment preferences of
the orthotist and the referring physician.
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Why
would my physician or orthotist choose a cranial remolding orthosis
manufactured by Orthomerica?
There are many reasons why Orthomerica products are preferred.
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Orthomerica
has an experienced cranial support team who work to provide
the best cranial remolding orthoses available on the market. |
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Orthomerica
is an FDA Registered Medical Device Manufacturer, fully compliant
with the U.S. FDA Quality System Regulation (QSR) and its Current
Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP). Currently, Orthomerica
has four 510K's under which the FDA permits Orthomerica to produce
multiple designs of Cranial Remolding Orthoses. This represents
twice the number of 510K's held by any other manufacturer in
the world! Additionally, Orthomerica is certified to ISO-9001,
the International Standard for Quality Systems, and markets
its products around the globe. |
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Orthomerica
has two Clinical Education Managers on staff who are published
and nationally recognized speakers in the orthotic management
of infants with deformational plagiocephaly and other head shape
problems. They have lectured and provided courses worldwide
to pediatric neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons, as well as,
to pediatricians, therapists, nurses, and other health care
providers. They have written brochures about the prevention
of deformational plagiocephaly, and have collaborated with other
health care professionals to study the effectiveness of repositioning,
physical and occupational therapy and its impact on orthotic
intervention. |
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Orthomerica's
on-site certified orthotist provides ongoing consultation and
information to orthotists, and specially trained customer service
specialists track every cranial order to ensure the proper fabrication
and specifications of the orthosis. Each step of the fabrication
process has quality control checks and balances in place to
ensure the quality of the orthosis. |
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Orthomerica
has worked with physicians and orthotists throughout the United
States to develop and offer a variety of cranial remolding orthosis
designs that would best address the needs of babies with very
complex head shapes. |
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Orthomerica
has teamed up with leading hospitals and physicians, such as
Children's Hospital of Atlanta and Sterling Clarren, MD, of
Seattle Children's Hospital, to conduct research concerning
cranial remolding orthoses and the treatment of plagiocephaly.
Dr. Clarren was the originator of modern cranial remolding orthoses,
and in 1979, was the first to publish an article on the topic.
This past year, Orthomerica was selected to exclusively fabricate
all Clarren Helmets worldwide. |
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Orthomerica
is the first cranial remolding orthosis manufacturer to incorporate
scanning technology with the treatment of infants with deformational plagiocephaly. For over three years, centers across the United
States have used Orthomerica's STARscanner --- a laser data
acquisition system that replaces the casting process traditionally
required for obtaining a mold of the infant's head. Thousands
of infants have benefited from this technology, which is safe,
accurate, and fast --- taking less than 2 seconds. The STARscanner
is also an excellent tool for collecting data to measure the
progress of patient treatment, for insurance documentation,
and for clinical research studies.
To
locate a STARscanner facility in your area, click
here.
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What
kind of health care professional will be treating my child?
Your pediatrician or craniofacial specialist will prescribe a cranial
remolding orthosis for your infant. You will then be referred to
a credentialed orthotist or prosthetist who will provide the cranial
orthosis and the ongoing treatment program. These allied health
care professionals are specifically trained and educated to provide
and manage the provision of custom orthoses (braces) and prostheses
(artificial limbs).
Credentialed
orthotists and prosthetists have provided cranial remolding orthoses
for more than 25 years. These health care practitioners maintain
high standards of continuing education through national certifying
bodies and many have specialized pediatric orthotic practices. As
key medical team members, these practitioners bring value to the
orthotic treatment program with a strong background in anatomy,
biomechanics, material science and patient care. These practitioners
also work closely with other members of the health care team to
provide quality orthotic management to ensure that your infant has
optimal results.
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How
do I get an Orthomerica cranial remolding orthosis for my infant?
First, you will need to get a prescription from a physician for
a cranial remolding orthosis. Referrals as to where to go and who
to see will depend upon your physician, insurance company and the
caregiver. In some cases, your physician may refer you to a specific
facility or practitioner for treatment because he/she has a working
relationship with this allied health care professional. If you have
insurance, your insurance company may require you to go to a network
provider to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.
Use
this link for a directory of facilities accredited by the American
Board for Certification (ABC). These facilities can be contacted
to determine if they are an experienced provider of Orthomerica's
Cranial Remolding Orthoses. You may also contact Orthomerica's Customer
Service department at custserv@orthomerica.com. Please include your
city and state in the email message, and a customer service representative
at Orthomerica will respond with a list of orthotists in your area
who currently provide Orthomerica's cranial remolding orthoses.
It is in your best interest to thoroughly interview the practitioner(s)
and make sure that you feel comfortable in your communications with
the facility and the practitioner. We highly recommend that you
ask prospective orthotists specific questions. Click
here for a list of sample questions.
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What
is the history of cranial remolding orthoses?
Orthotists and prosthetists have treated children with deformational plagiocephaly since the 1970s. The first article written about the
use of cranial remolding orthoses to treat deformational plagiocephaly
was written by Drs. Clarren, Smith, and Hanson in 1979 in a study
done at the University of Washington. In 1998 the FDA ruled that
cranial remolding orthoses fell into the category of Class II medical
devices and required strict control standards. In order to continue
providing these orthoses, centers had to apply for and receive FDA
510(k) clearance, which is an expensive and labor intensive process.
Many orthotists and prosthetists stopped providing cranial remolding
orthoses at that time because their design had not gone through
the process of being cleared by the FDA. In July 2000, Orthomerica
received 510(k) clearance to manufacture and market the STARband.
Orthomerica's
intent is to make cranial remolding treatment more accessible, so
parents do not have to travel long distances at great expense for
these services. Orthomerica makes this possible by providing cranial
remolding orthoses that credentialed orthotists and prosthetists
can use to treat infants in their local communities. The STARband,
STARlight and Clarren designs offer new options in the management
of deformational plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, and have been welcomed
by physicians, insurance companies, and parents as affordable and
effective orthotic designs.
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Do
all credentialed orthotists and prosthetists have experience providing
cranial remolding orthoses?
Not necessarily. Individual orthotists and prosthetists have varying
levels of experience with different types of orthoses. The educational
background of these health care practitioners enables them to evaluate
and assess the patient's needs, and apply orthotic management principles
to each patient. Evaluation, orthotic design, material properties,
casting, fitting, and follow-up are integrated into the experience
of every practitioner, and they have a high level of competency
in these areas. You may want to interview several local practitioners
before choosing the one that is right for you and your child.
Consultation
and information about cranial remolding orthosis treatment, using
STARband, STARlight, and Clarren Helmet products, are available
from the Clinical Education Managers at Orthomerica via telephone
and printed information. In addition, Orthomerica sponsors and presents
educational courses on the topic for practitioners throughout the
United States.
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What
is the difference between a casting and scanning procedure?
Each cranial remolding orthosis is a custom product, meaning that
each orthosis is specifically made to fit each infant. In order
to create such an intimately fitting and effective orthosis, a 3-D
model of the patient's head is needed. Currently, there are two
means of obtaining this 3-D model — 1) a cast impression of
the infant's head, or 2) a scan.
The
casting process involves laying a series of plaster splints over
the infant's head and molding them as they dry. The cast is removed,
producing a negative impression of the infant's head. The entire
process takes between 15 and 30 minutes. The negative impression
is then filled with liquid plaster to produce a positive, 3-D model
of the infant's head.
The
STARscanner is safe, accurate up to a half millimeter, eliminates
the need for casting, and obtains data for a 3-D model of the infant's
head in less than two seconds. This type of scan also allows an
infinite number of measurements to be taken of the head, and then
compared throughout the treatment program. Currently, there are
more than 12 orthotic and prosthetic facilities and hospitals across
the country that have the STARscanner non-contact laser data acquisition
system. To locate a STARscanner facility in your area, click
here.
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Once
a cast or scan is sent to Orthomerica, how long will it take to get
my child's cranial remolding orthosis?
Once Orthomerica receives the cast impression or scan, the STARband
will be shipped to the orthotist within 5 working days. Ideally, your
child will be fit with an Orthomerica cranial remolding orthosis within
14 days of the casting/scanning date to assure proper fit and function.
Since most insurance companies require approval prior to initiating
orthotic treatment, it is important for the family and/or the orthotic
facility to obtain this prior approval before casting/scanning the
infant. Delays related to insurance coverage can be lengthy and frustrating
because success in treatment is time sensitive and can have an impact
on treatment results. |
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How
often will my infant need to see the orthotist for follow-up and/or
adjustments?
Frequency of follow-up visits usually depends on the severity of the
initial head shape, age of the infant, and individual treatment protocols
of the local orthotist. Typically, the infant is seen a week after
the initial fitting and approximately every 2 to 3 weeks thereafter,
throughout the course of the treatment program. Younger infants may
require more frequent follow up appointments since their heads are
growing so rapidly. |
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What
kind of adjustments can we expect throughout the course of the treatment
program?
Cranial remolding orthoses are designed to make contact over the "high"
spots, and leave voids over the "low" spots. This provides "directed
growth" of the head. Throughout the course of the treatment program,
material (liners) may be removed to allow more growth in targeted
areas. Pads may also be added in specific areas to further enhance
the symmetrical or proportional growth of the infant's head. In addition,
the plastic material may be heated and recontoured as the shape of
the head changes. After each adjustment, it will be important to closely
monitor your infant's head to make sure that it's adapting well to
the adjustments. |
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How
do I clean Orthomerica Cranial Remolding Orthoses?
The cranial orthoses manufactured by Orthomerica can all be cleaned
with 78-99% rubbing alcohol. Wet a soft cloth with the alcohol and
vigorously wipe out the entire inside of the orthosis once a day when
you remove the orthosis for your baby's bath. This will help prevent
bacteria from building up on the inner liner and will reduce the odor
that is sometimes present. Make sure the alcohol is completely dry
before placing the orthosis back on the baby's head. If you live in
a sunny climate, place the band in the sun after cleaning it to help
it dry. The baby's head should be washed daily with a mild baby shampoo
that will not hurt the eyes. Aveeno shampoo, or Tea tree oil shampoo
made by a company called Jason can soothe some scalp irritations that
can occassionally occur because of heat buildup and perspiration inside
the orthosis. |
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How
should Orthomerica orthoses fit on my baby's head?
During the first two weeks of orthotic treatment, the cranial orthosis
may shift around on your baby's head, especially if your baby has
a head shape that is asymmetrical. While this may require the caregivers
to frequently reposition the band, rotation is not unusual during
this early treatment time as the asymmetrical head adjusts to the
more symmetrical shape of the cranial orthosis. The orthosis may
require an adjustment earlier than your scheduled appointment if
the band rotates and blocks vision, rubs against either ear of if
you notice skin problems. Contact your orthotist with any questions
or concerns any time during the treatment process. After two weeks
of 23 hour wearing time, any rotation should be minimal.
The
Clarren Helmet fits loosely when it is initially fit. Depending
on the cast modification process, your child's age, and type of
cranial deformity, other types of cranial orthoses may also fit
loosely. The orthosis may tip forward while the baby is lying on
the back, but it should not impede vision. There is a tendency for
orthoses to tip forward more in babies with brachycephalic (very
wide and short heads), but this tends to diminish as the head develops
more contour in the back. Discuss any concerns about fit with your
orthotist.
Growth
spurts can affect the fit of the orthosis between the casting and
fitting appointments and at different times during the treatment
process. This is particularly true of babies between the ages of
4-7 months since the head is growing about 1 centimeter a month
during this period. If this occurs, the orthosis may fit quite snugly
at the fitting, and the orthotist may remove material at this appointment
to ensure there is adequate room for growth to occur. The orthosis
should still fit around the baby's head, allowing one person to
apply and remove the orthosis. The child's skin may be pink or even
dark pink when you remove the orthosis during the break in period,
but any marks should disappear in 30 minutes. At no time should
the skin appear tender or blistered. If this occurs, remove the
orthosis and schedule an appointment with your orthotist as soon
as possible.
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If
I have questions regarding my infant's orthosis and/or treatment program,
whom should I contact?
You should always contact your orthotist immediately with any questions
or concerns you have regarding the orthosis or treatment program.
Your practitioner is the only one in a position to answer these types
of questions because they have seen and evaluated your infant in person.
It is very difficult to assess the fit and function of an orthosis
from a photograph, and opinions solicited from other sources cannot
be as accurate as those from the health care professional providing
treatment. |
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Can
I contact Orthomerica directly if I have questions or concerns about
my infant's treatment?
Orthomerica is a manufacturing company whose role is to manufacture
a quality, FDA-cleared product as requested by the local orthotist.
The orthotist is an independent health care provider who purchases
the product and then provides the orthotic treatment program. While
we all work together as a team for you and your infant, please understand
that the orthotist is Orthomerica's customer, and the patient is
the orthotist's customer. Any concerns or questions you have about
your infant's care should always be communicated to the practitioner
providing treatment.
If
you still have questions or concerns about your infant's treatment
after thoroughly expressing and discussing all issues with your
orthotist, you may contact Orthomerica for further assistance. However,
prior to us discussing your concerns with you or your orthotist,
you will be required to fill out a consent form—necessary to
comply with new HIPAA privacy laws. Click
here to download the consent form. Fill out the form and fax
it to Orthomerica at 407.290.2419. Orthomerica staff members are
unable to offer assistance or consultation without signed consent
form. Once we have received your consent form, someone from our
clinical team will contact you.
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How
long will the cranial remolding orthosis treatment program last?
The average treatment program lasts between three and four months,
with younger infants typically completing treatment sooner than older
infants. Other factors such as severity of head shape, consistency
of wear, and individual growth patterns of the infant affect the length
of time for treatment. Your orthotist can best estimate the length
of time necessary for completing the treatment program. |
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Will
my child need more than one cranial remolding orthosis during treatment?
Most cranial remolding treatment programs are completed with a single
STARband, STARlight or Clarren Helmet. Only rare and severe circumstances
should require a second orthosis. Orthomerica specifically designs
and modifies our cranial designs to complete a majority of the treatment
programs with a single orthosis. Credentialed orthotists and prosthetists
are experienced at adding and removing material to increase the longevity
of the orthosis and reduce costs for the caregivers. |
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When
will treatment be discontinued?
Generally, treatment is discontinued when any remaining asymmetry
is so mild that it would not require treatment with a cranial remolding
orthosis and you are happy with your infant's overall head shape.
The orthotist will be taking specific measurements throughout the
treatment process that will track the changes of the head shape. If
your orthotist has a STARscanner, the orthotist will scan the patient
during follow-up visits. The follow-up scans will be compared to the
initial scan, and the STARscanner software will measure the changes,
as well as, symmetry. Once you and your orthotist agree on the amount
of improvement seen, you will return to your referring physician before
treatment is discontinued. |
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How
often should I see my referring physician?
Your physician will advise you as to when he/she wants to see the
patient during treatment. Many physicians prefer to see the infant
after receiving the cranial orthosis, and at the middle and end of
the orthotic treatment program. |
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Will
my insurance cover Orthomerica's cranial remolding orthoses?
Insurance companies and state plans have different criteria for
coverage depending on the type of plan and premiums paid. All of
these plans require extensive documentation to process the claims
including the prescription, letter of medical necessity from the
referring physician, proof that repositioning techniques were not
successful in correcting the infant’s head shape. Additional
information, such as, specific measurements and clinical photographs
may also be required. You should contact your insurance company
prior to your first visit with the orthotist for evaluation and/or
casting/scanning for a cranial remolding orthosis. Ask your insurance
company if they cover DME (Durable Medical Equipment) and/or cranial
remolding orthoses. Cranial remolding orthoses are custom molded
devices and carry a specific billing code of S1040 or an undifferentiated
code of L1499 or E1399. If your insurance company says that it covers
billing code L0100, tell them that the L0100 code is for a protective
helmet, not a remolding orthosis. If your insurance company tells
you that "orthotics" are excluded in your policy, ask what type
of "orthotics" the policy refers to. Many insurance companies exclude
orthotics worn in the shoes to prevent a variety of foot problems
and inaccurately generalize the term to include cranial remolding
and other types of orthoses. |
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Where
can I find more information about deformational plagiocephaly and cranial
remolding orthoses?
Your orthotist can provide you with different types of written information
that explains deformational plagiocephaly and the orthotic treatment
program. You may also find helpful resources online - keeping in
mind that many internet sites are sponsored by manufacturers of
different brands of cranial remolding orthoses and are heavily biased
towards their own products. The most accurate information regarding
the STARband, STARlight and Clarren orthoses will come from your
orthotist and Orthomerica's website.
Orthomerica's
website has a number of publications providing helpful information
that are available for you to download:
Caregiver's
Guide to the Treament of deformational plagiocephaly
Tummy
Time Tools
Repositioning
Guide (english)
Repositioning
Guide (spanish)
Clinical
Report on Cranial Remolding Orthoses
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Once
my infant has completed the cranial remolding orthosis treatment program
with an Orthomerica orthosis, would it be helpful to share my experience
with others?
Yes! We would love to share your STARband, STARlight, or Clarren Helmet
success story with other parents and caregivers. We encourage you
to take photographs of your baby with and without the orthosis throughout
the course of the treatment program. In addition to your before and
after photos, we would be interested in hearing about your experience
with your local orthotist. We think it is important to include parent's
stories on our website to help other parents who are facing the journey
that you have already successfully traveled. |
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