Craniosynostosis Helmets
Surgery is commonly performed to correct craniosynostosis. The timing and type of surgery is dependent on the type of synostosis and the preference of the surgeon. Most often, surgery for craniosynostosis is performed during the first few months of life.
Helmets or headband therapy may be used as an adjunct to surgery. Some neurosurgeons use headbands for occipital plagiocephaly. In this type of therapy, the child can wear a STARband customized, external helmet or headband for a prescribed period to direct proper skull growth.
Helmet or band therapy involves taking a STARscan
of the skull. We scan your child’s head, then
fit him/her with a helmet or band which
sits snugly on the prominent areas of the head,
but allows the recessed and flattened portions to
gradually expand into the open areas of the helmet,
molding the head as it grows.
Depending on the child’s age, correction in skull
shape usually occurs within three to six months.
The helmet or band is made by a skilled orthotist
at Monroe Orthotics and Prosthetics, working with
the craniofacial surgeon and/or
pediatric neurosurgeon or pediatrician.