scar issues

Hi, I've written a few times before for my son Luca who got a PM one year ago tomorrow (he's 8 now). He has really been thriving since the operation, but since christmas time has developed a strange movement of his neck- like torticolis. The cardiologist wasnt interested, but after seeing a physical therapist and an osteopath, they feel it is because of his scar. The skin and fascia under the skin thickened up at the incision sight and didnt keep up with the rest of his growth (he grew ALOT after his operation, making up for lost time). The neck muscles on the side of the scar are actually shorter and tighter now that on the other side. It isnt visible, except for the constant moving of his head, which he says is to "fix" his neck which feels strange. He had actually displaced a vertebra in his neck with this!! He is feeling better with the massage, but I haven't found anything related to this in my internet searches. Has anyone had any experience with this? Any advice? THANKS! Sharon

3 Comments

Torticolis

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2012-03-22 09:03:17

Hi Sharon,
I found your post interesting and have some experience with Torticolis so I will share a few thoughts. My daughter had Torticolis as a newborn. Not sure how it was missed but my daughters collar bone broke during delivery and it wasn't until later that our pediatrician noticed the Torticolis and she was treated with PT for several months. Has your son had any other imaging other than just the neck? I'm wondering if maybe the unit itself and it's positioning may have further complicate the issue considering his recent growth? Would it be worth getting a second opinion from a different pediatric cardio or maybe even an ortho? Another thought might be a plastic surgeon. I'm sorry to hear he is going through this. Even though my daughter could not talk at the time, I know it was very painful for her and the PT was not fun either. Hopefully you have learned effective exercises and massage to help relieve some of the pain and he will start to see some improvement soon :). Do they think he will continue to have problems as he grows? What are they going to do to treat the vertebra? Do they think it will go back in place when the neck muscles are strengthened? Best of luck to you and your son.

Take care,
Heidi

thanks

by hellua - 2012-03-23 07:03:02

Hi, thanks for your reply. Actually Luca doesnt complain about pain, just feeling that there is something wrong with his neck, he always feels better after the massage(btw, they were able to manipulate his vertebra back into place).
The worrying thing is they dont seem to know if he will continue to have problems, the osteopath is optimistic. I will see a different cardio in may/june, hopefully she will be more interested. Very frustrating!! I hope your daughter is doing well, have a nice day! Sharon

Tight fascia in neck

by Denise Aug - 2012-04-01 12:04:02

So sorry that your 8 year old has gotten a PM. You had said massage had helped him. I am a massage therapist and I just learned myofascial release. I believe that this can really hep your son. You can seek out therapists in your area that do it, or you can google John Barnes,he developed myofascial release. On his website you may be able to gins a therapist in your area. I hope this information helps, and hope you son doing well.

Denise

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