Infants with Congenital Muscular Torticollis: Demographic Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Physical Therapy Episode of Care

Abstract

Purpose: To describe demographic factors, baseline characteristics, and physical therapy episodes in infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), examine groups based on physical therapy completion, and identify implications for clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective data were extracted from a single-site registry of 445 infants with CMT. Results: Most infants were male (57%), Caucasian (63%), and firstborn (50%), with torticollis detected by 3 months old (89%) with a left (51%), mild (72%) CMT presentation. Cervical range of motion (ROM) limitations were greatest in passive lateral flexion and active rotation. Sixty-seven percent of infants completed an episode of physical therapy, 25% completed a partial episode, and 8% did not attend visits following the initial examination. Age at examination, ROM, and muscle function differed significantly between groups. Conclusions: Physical therapists may use clinical registry data to inform practice for timing of referral, frequency of care, and clinician training to manage infants with CMT.