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Cranial Remolding Orthoses
Cranial remolding orthoses, also referred to as Baby Helmets, are used to passively reshape a flat spot on an infant’s head. Plagiocephaly (sometimes called deformational plagiocephaly or positional plagiocephaly) is a very common, very treatable disorder. Mild cases of plagiocephaly may resolve naturally, while more moderate and severe cases can involve ear shifts and facial asymmetries. In these cases, natural correction is highly unlikely and your baby may need to wear a cranial helmet to reshape the flat spot. We utilize the newest and most current Elite STARscanner® Laser Data Acquisition System for real time diagnostic imaging. Call us to schedule a clinical assessment with the most experienced practitioners in New England. The consultation is free, regardless of your insurance: 401-593-6267
The Orthomerica STARband® Cranial Remolding Orthosis (baby helmet) is an FDA approved, effective treatment for babies between 3 and 18 months of age and has been successfully used to treat babies with asymmetrical head shapes since 2001.
The STARband® helmet is a lightweight helmet made with a flexible plastic outer shell and lined with polyethylene foam that is removed by the practitioner throughout the course of treatment to allow for growth and to provide a pathway for your baby’s head to grow into a more symmetrical shape.
The cranial helmet is created from a scan taken with either our elite Orthomerica STARscanner or our hand held data acquisition system.
The Orthomerica STARband® cranial remolding orthoses was designed to treat infants with abnormal head shapes. Abnormal head shapes can develop when your baby is in utero, when they sleep with their head turned to the same side during the first months of life, if they have a condition called torticollis (tight neck muscles), or from being in infant car seats, carriers, strollers, swings, and bouncy seats.
Flat head syndrome is more likely to occur from multiple births, such as twins. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants sleep on their back to reduce the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which increased the number of cases of infants developing flat spots on their heads requiring intervention.
Some cases may resolve on their own, however, treatment with a STARband® cranial remolding orthoses should be considered when the baby is between 4-6 months of age. Correction can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks depending on the severity of the flat spot, compliance, and the age of the baby.
In older babies, a longer treatment program is necessary because the baby’s head does not grow as rapidly after 12 months of age. The baby’s active growth is a dynamic component of the treatment, as natural growth is redirected to achieve a more symmetrical and proportional head shape. Compliance to the twenty-three hour per day wearing schedule is crucial to a successful outcome.
The STARband® cranial orthoses is also used post operatively after craniosynostosis surgery is performed. Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in a baby’s skull join together too early. After surgery, a baby is often in a STARband® cranial orthoses for up to a full year.
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Minimal posterior flattening
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Monitor for improvement / progression
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Posterior flattening
• Minimal ear shift
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Monitor for improvement / progression
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Posterior flattening
• Ear shift
• Forehead asymmetry
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Refer for orthotic evaluation
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Posterior flattening
• Ear shift
• Orbital, cheek, face or jaw deformity
• Frontal and /or parietal sloping
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Refer for orthotic evaluation
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Posterior flattening
• Ear shift
• Orbital, cheek, face or jaw deformity
• Frontal and /or parietal sloping
•Temporal bossing and increased cranial vault height
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Refer for orthotic evaluation
Deformational Brachycephaly (DB) – Primary deformity is disproportion.
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Central occipital flattening
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Monitor for improvement / progression
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Central occipital flattening
• Widening of the posterior skull
• Frontal flattening or bossing
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Refer for orthotic evaluation
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Central occipital flattening
• Widening of the posterior skull
• Frontal flattening or bossing
• Frontal and/or parietal sloping
• Temporal bossing and increased cranial vault height
CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Repositioning & tummy time
• Refer for orthotic evaluation
Brian has successfully treated thousands of cases of deformational plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis over the past two decades utilizing the Starband® cranial remolding orthosis from Orthomerica. He has been attending the Star Summit Cranial Remolding Seminar regularly since the very first meeting in 2004. Brian is the Director of the Cranial Remolding Program at New Beginnings Orthotics and Prosthetics in Warwick RI. His past experience from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford and Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence makes him the area’s most experienced practitioner in the treatment of head shape deformities.
STARscanner® Laser Data Acquisition System
The STARscanner® Laser Data Acquisition System replaces the need for plaster casting. In less than 2 seconds, the eye-safe laser collects the baby’s head shape data in 3-D and can be viewed in multiple planes. This captured data is used for the fabrication of the cranial orthosis. The SmartSoc Touchless Scanner is safe and accurate to 0.1% and allows patient movement during a SmartScan.
Orthomerica Transfer Pattern Guide
STARband® Cleaning Instructions
CUSTOMIZE YOUR HELMET
To customize your baby’s cranial helmet, pick a solid color helmet and visit www.blingyourband.com or www.Etsy.com. They have so many creative options available to you at a minimum cost!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants sleep supine (“back to sleep”) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. While this decision was successful in reducing cases of SIDS, some infants may develop plagiocephaly (flat head). Some cases may self-resolve with simple repositioning and/or physical therapy intervention. New Beginnings O&P uses the most current, up to date, FDA regulated and approved data acquisition system. This newest state of the art scanner was designed to be touchless to decrease contact exposure to your baby.
If you suspect your baby’s head shape or size is abnormal or notice a flat spot developing, speak to your pediatrician and ask for a clinical assessment from our experienced practitioners at New Beginnings O&P.