What is Wryneck?

Wryneck, or Torticollis as it is medically known, is where a child’s hear or neck is contorted or twisted in an abnormal position. Untreated it can lead to a permanent mobility issues or a facial deformity.

Causes of wryneck include congenital muscular torticollis, Klippel-Feil syndrome, or inflammation due to an illness or injury to the neck or head.

Congenital Muscular Torticollis is the most common reason for wryneck in children under five years of age. It is from injury during the birth in where the muscle that connects the breastbone, head, and neck (the sternocleidomastoid) is pulled, contorted, or otherwise impaired. It is from the birth process generally, but can be caused from injury from the womb.

Klippel-Feil syndrome is present at birth and is caused by a fusion or bony connection between two or more of the bones in the neck. Sufferers of Klippel-Feil are seen with short broad necks and usually low hairlines.

Wryneck due to inflammation from injury occurs in older children, usually around nine to ten years of age. Swelling causes the tissue around the upper spine to loosen and the vertebral bones to move out of their normal positions. The neck muscles then spasm and the head tilts out of proper position.

An X-ray examination from your pediatrician will be done to identify the cause of the wryneck. There are exercises designed to stretch the muscles and regain mobility that are done several times a day as a form of physical therapy. Having the child sleep where their head is tilting to the opposite way of the normal pull direction may gently relax the offending muscle and ease it into proper use. If his/her head tilts to the left, have them looking right when they sleep, and if his/her head tilts to the right, have them looking left when they sleep. This is a very gentle exercise that will take the hours of sleep to help correct the neck.

With proper exercises, 80% can be relieved of wryneck. The other 20% will have to delve into other treatments and options. If exercises do not correct your child’s wryneck problem, the pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric orthopedist. There may be cause for surgical treatments, or you child may be a candidate for alternate therapies such as special collars, heat therapy, traction, or medication. Wryneck looks severe, but is treatable and usually easy to correct given time and patience.