Adolescents/Adults with Neglected Congenital Muscular Torticollis. Case Description: An Adolescent with Problems Due to Neglected CMT

Author(s): Anna Maria Ohman

The aim is to describe an adolescent with neglected Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) and to discuss some difficulties for adolescents/adults with neglected CMT. Even though CMT is mostly discovered in infanthood, some individuals do not get treatment in time. For older children/adolescents/adults with a visual muscular cord tightness in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, surgery is mostly a requisite for physical therapy to work. Surgery for CMT is nothing new but there seems to be a lack of knowledge about it, especially for older children, adolescents, and adults. When CMT is not treated, the head remains tilted toward the affected side, there is restricted motion in the neck, often an elevated shoulder on the affected side, some lateral shift of the head, pain, and facial asymmetry. Early surgery is preferable. However, adults with neglected CMT can benefit from surgery; they can get increased neck motion, a straight head position, less pain and better well-being. Surgery should be offered regardless of age as it can make an important difference to the individual. In the described case an adolescent with considerable effects of neglected CMT felt that she had gained a new life after surgery.