About Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Key Highlights
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Early intervention with physical therapy has a very high success rate, often resolving the condition without surgery.Corrects head tilt and rotation, promoting symmetrical development of the face and skull.Prevents long-term complications such as permanent postural deformity, facial asymmetry, and developmental delays.Surgical option (muscle release) is minimally invasive with a small incision and typically offers excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.Restores full, pain-free range of motion in the neck, allowing for normal visual tracking and motor development.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent head tilt and limited neck rotation in an infant that does not improve with conservative positioning by 3-6 months of age.
- Presence of a palpable, firm mass or 'pseudotumor' in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM).
- Development of secondary facial asymmetry (plagiocephaly) or flattening of the skull due to constant head positioning.
- Failure of a structured, consistent physical therapy program to achieve adequate range of motion after 6-12 months.
- Significant functional limitation affecting the child's ability to look straight ahead or track objects symmetrically.
How to prepare
- Thorough clinical examination by a pediatric orthopedist to confirm the diagnosis and assess muscle tightness.
- Parents are trained in specific, gentle passive stretching exercises to perform multiple times daily.
- Instruction on proper positioning during feeding, sleeping, and play to encourage the infant to turn towards the affected side.
- For surgical candidates, pre-operative assessments including a complete medical history and possibly imaging to rule out other causes.
- Discussion of anesthesia (general) for the child and fasting instructions for the day of surgery, if required.
Risks & possible complications
- General anesthesia risks, though minimal in healthy infants.
- Bleeding, infection, or hematoma at the surgical site.
- Injury to nearby structures like the spinal accessory nerve, which could affect shoulder function.
- Scarring at the incision site, though it is typically small and well-concealed.
- Recurrence of tightness or incomplete correction requiring further therapy or revision surgery.
- Asymmetrical appearance if the muscle is over-lengthened.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate post-surgery: Neck may be placed in a soft collar or brace for comfort and support for a short period.
- Pain is managed with age-appropriate medication and is usually minimal.
- Physical therapy resumes within 1-2 weeks post-surgery to maintain the new range of motion and strengthen muscles.
- Parents continue with prescribed stretching exercises and positioning strategies at home.
- Regular follow-up visits with the pediatric orthopedist to monitor healing, range of motion, and symmetry.
- Full functional recovery and integration of new movement patterns take several weeks to months.
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Typical hospital stay: 1 day (outpatient or 24-hour observation for surgery)
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Expected recovery time: 4-6 weeks for full functional recovery after surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering congenital muscular torticollis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform congenital muscular torticollis. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for congenital muscular torticollis compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 50 Thousand – 200 Thousand | 1 day (outpatient or 24-hour observation for surgery) | ~ 4-6 weeks for full functional recovery after surgery | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 175 Thousand – 700 Thousand | 1 day (outpatient or 24-hour observation for surgery) | ~ 4-6 weeks for full functional recovery after surgery | Know More |
Diya Chopra is a 3-month-old baby...
Diya Chopra is a 3-month-old baby girl, the first child of Anjali and Raj, who are both software engineers. Anjali first noticed a slight tilt to Diya's head to the right when she was about 6 weeks old during tummy time. She also struggled to turn her head fully to the left when following a rattle. Her pediatrician confirmed a small, firm lump on the right side of her neck muscle and diagnosed Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT). The doctor recommended a referral to Pediatric Orthopedics and, crucially, starting immediate conservative therapy. The treatment experience was centered on a structured home exercise program. Anjali learned gentle stretching techniques to turn Diya's chin to her left shoulder and tilt her ear to her right shoulder, performed several times a day. They incorporated positioning strategies during feeding and sleep to encourage turning to the left. The post-procedure recovery outcome was excellent. After 4 months of diligent daily stretches and positioning, Diya's head tilt completely resolved, and she gained full, symmetrical range of motion in her neck. The emotional journey was one of initial worry and guilt for Anjali, who wondered if she had done something wrong. However, transforming the exercises into a bonding routine during diaper changes and playtime turned anxiety into empowerment. Seeing Diya's progress filled the family with relief and pride in their consistent care.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform congenital muscular torticollis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata