TORTICOLLIS

CURVISH - neck deformation, in which the leading symptom is the wrong position of the head (tilt it in one direction with the turn of the face in the other direction and up). It can be congenital (shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle of an innate character) or occurs as a result of birth trauma. During the 2-3rd week of life, the middle and lower parts of the sternocleidosculiform muscle thicken, the inclination of the head toward the altered muscle increases and the volume of its movements decreases. By 3 - 6 years, the deformation increases. There is an asymmetry of the face and skull. Treatment includes corrective gymnastics, massage, warming procedures. In case of ineffectiveness of conservative measures at the age of 3 - 4 years, operative treatment is performed.

Acquired torticollis often occurs with diseases of the extrapyramidal system (spasmodic torticollis). As a rule, with emotional and physical exertion, the manifestations of the disease are intensified. Less common are other causes of torticollis: burns , acute and chronic diseases of the sternocleidoscargoid muscle. Indications for surgery are a significant change in the position of the head or expressed involuntary movements, disability of the patient.