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Torticollis is a deformity of the neck that shows tilting of the head toward the affected side and rotation of the chin toward the opposite side. In many cases with this condition, unilateral tightness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is found frequently with fibrous tumor. The analysis of 43 cases of congenital muscular torticollis and result of their physical therapy are reported. The research was from Jan. 1, 1990 to Dec. 31, 1995 at Ulsan Dong Kang Hospital. The results obtained were as follows. 1. There were 30 males(69.8%) and 13 females(30.2%). Age distribution of patients showed below 2 month 20 cases(46.5%), above 1 year 7 cases(16.3%), 5~6/11~12 months 4 cases(9.3%), and 7~8 month 2 cases(4.6%). 2. 25 cases(58.1 %) were on the right and 18 cases(41.9%) on the left side. Torticollis was mild to moderately severe in mild 22 cases(51.1 %), moderate 18 cases (41.9 %) and severe 3 cases(7%). 3. There were normal spontaneous delivery in 36 cases(83.7%), Cesaean section in 4 cases (9.3%) and breech presentation in 3 cases(7%). Sequence of birth, the 1st born babys were 30 cases(69.8%) and the 2nd born babys were 13 cases(30.2%). 4. Above fair result of physiotherapy were 36 cases(83.7%). 5. Of the 43 cases with fellow up, above fair 32 cases(74.4%) and poor 11 cases(25.6%) showed. As conclusion, passive stretch exercise of sternocleidomastoid muscle with early torticollis diagnosis seems more successful in recovery than no exercise.
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