Cranial Helmets
Positional Cranial Deformities
One out of every 300 live births results in a baby born with a positional cranial deformity.
Plagiocephaly
This is characterized by the flattening of one side of the occiput, forward progression of the ear on the same side, and bossing of the ipsilateral forehead.
Brachiocephaly
Characterized by a flattening of the back of the head, with an abnormally short and wide head shape.
Scaphocephaly
Most often found in premature babies—characterized by a head shape that is narrow and long. Often times this is developed from extended periods of time lying on either or both sides for medical reasons.
View the Brachycephaly Severity Scale | View the Plagiocephaly Severity Scale
The Plagio Cradle
The Plagio CradleTM was developed by Gary Rogers, MD and James Miller, CPO at the Children’s Hospital of Boston. This product is for preventing or treating early signs of plagiocephaly, not brachycephaly or scaphocephaly.
The Plagio Cradle is typically recommended for children who are 0-3 months of age and must be discontinued immediately when the child exhibits signs of being able to roll over.
For more information visit www.plagioprevention.com
If your infant demonstrates a tendency to look in one direction, here are two guides for repositioning techniques.
A Child Who Prefers Looking To Their Left
A Child Who Prefers Looking To Their Right
For those infants who do not make progress with therapy or positioning by three
months of age, the prescription of a custom orthosis is recommended.
The Boston Band
The Boston Band is a cranial remolding helmet. It utilizes a unique layering technique which gives the Orthotist the ability to remove layers as necessary, allowing the infant's head to grow in normal fashion.
It is a lightweight, flexible plastic and foam orthosis made from a cast impression or a 3D scan of the infant's head (see 'Scanning Technology' sidebar). The Boston Band alows the baby to sleep in any position, yet keeps pressure off the flat spots and constrains growth along the axis of the prominent parts.
Correction usually occurs within 2 to 3 months for patients befinning treatment at 3 months of age. In older patients, longer treatment time may be necessary.
For more information, contact one of our experienced Orthotists.
Boston Brace continues to be the leading provider for Orthotic bracing. Boston Brace maintains a network of educational support with several patient care clinics located in world-class medical facilities, including Children's Hospitals of Boston and Philadelphia. Working closely with such diverse and progressive educational institutions has offered Boston Brace the opportunity to continually test, streamline, and improve the producst and processes for its customers and patients. Specializing in pediatric Orthotic management, we continue to drive advancements in technology for the management of Scoliosis, Plagiocephaly, and various neuromuscular disorders.
Before Your First Visit
Please download and fill out our questionnaire and bring it with you to your first visit.
Questionnaire
Scanning Technology
Advances in scanning technology have provided Orthotists with the ability to replace plaster casting as a method of acquiring accurate molding of the infant's head.
Capital O and P is unique among most other providers in the New England region to offer this advanced technology. While traditional casting is the norm for most other providers, we have made the investment to better serve our patient's needs. With no discomfort, a digital recording is captured in seconds.
This is a highly accurate and repeatable imaging process that allows for detailed evaluation and tracking of symmetry and shape.
Of course, patient comfort is an important, added benefit!
