Skip to main navigation

Skip to footer

For Individuals & Families:

For Individuals & Families For Individuals & Families

Shop for Plans

Member Guide Member Guide

Find a Doctor Find a Doctor

Congenital Torticollis

Congenital torticollis, Opens dialog

Spine, Opens dialog

Condition Basics

What is congenital torticollis?

Congenital torticollisCongenital torticollis (wryneck) happens at or shortly after birth. It means that your baby's head is tilted. The chin points to one shoulder, while the head tilts toward the opposite shoulder. Treatment is needed to make sure your baby's face and skull grow evenly. Treatment also prevents limited motion of the head and neck.

What causes it?

Congenital torticollis occurs when the neck muscle that runs up and toward the back of your baby's neck (sternocleidomastoid muscle) is shortened. This brings your baby's head down and to one side. This is known as congenital muscular torticollis.

Experts don't know exactly what causes the shortened neck muscle.

Some cases of congenital torticollis are caused by a bone problem in the neck portion of the spinespine (cervical spine). This is known as a congenital malformation of the cervical spine.

TorticollisTorticollis may also occur later in life, but this is not congenital torticollis.

What are the symptoms?

Your baby's head is tilted to one side. The chin points to one shoulder, and the head tilts toward the opposite shoulder. You may notice that your baby cannot move their head as well as other babies. You may also notice a lump in your baby's neck muscle.

How is it diagnosed?

The caregiver usually first notices that the infant always holds their head tilted to one side.

Your doctor will examine your baby. You may be asked questions about your baby's birth. An X-rayX-ray of the cervical spine may be done to rule out bone problems.

The doctor may also check your baby's hips. Some babies with this condition also have a hip problem called hip dysplasiahip dysplasia.

How is congenital torticollis treated?

Treatment includes stretching your baby's tight neck muscle. You will do this several times a day. Your doctor or physical therapistphysical therapist will teach you how to safely do the exercises.

If your baby does not improve after a few months of stretching, contact your doctor. There may be another problem. Or surgery may be needed to help stretch or lengthen the neck muscle.

The lump in the muscle often goes away on its own.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.comwebmdignite.com.

Page Footer

I want to...

Audiences

Secure Member Sites

The Cigna Group Information

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details Details