A Therapeutic Approach Based on Motor Development in Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A Case Report

선천성 근육 사경 환아에 대한 운동 발달적 치료 접근: 증례보고

Although conservative management of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) has been well documented, relatively little is known about the response to the treatment. The purposes of this case report were to describe the use of a therapeutic approach based on motor development in physical therapy intervention for an infant with CMT and to report the result of the treatment. The patient was a 20-day-old baby boy with left CMT presenting muscular mass in the left sternocleidomastoid muscle. The angle of the lateral head tilt was 20 degrees. The size of muscular mass was 5.3 mm in ultrasonography. Intervention included ultrasonic therapy, soft tissue massage, passive and active range of motion exercises, motor developmental therapy, and parent instruction. The procedures of motor developmental therapy and changes in the amount of lateral head tilt were documented using photography. The size of the mass was decreased to .3 mm before the 5-month follow-up. The patient also maintained a midline head position in the supine position and a midline head alignment during all functional activities. A therapeutic approach based on motor development is a beneficial method for reducing an asymmetrical head and neck position, and facilitating normal development as a component of physical therapy intervention.