The LOC Band

If repositioning techniques have not brought about sufficient improvement in your baby's head shape, then Cranial Remoulding Therapy is an option. This should not be considered until the infant is at least 3 to 4 months old.

The London Orthotic Consultancy manufactures it's own cranial remoulding orthosis. It is manufactured to strict standards and guidelines. It is the only commercially available Cranial Orthosis to be manufactured in the UK and therefore has less of an environmental impact than imported Cranial Orthoses. The clinicians involved in the treatment of babies are also closely involved with the design and manufacture of the LOCband. LOC is registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as manufacturer of the LOCband.

Manufacturing and clinical treatment protocols closely follow the standards as laid down by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

How Does Cranial Remoulding Work?

The LOC band is non-invasive and works by applying a gentle constant pressure over the areas of your baby’s skull which are most prominent while allowing unrestricted growth over the flattened areas. It is a pain-free treatment. The band consists of a soft foam layer inside a thermoplastic shell. This allows for frequent adjustments during growth and gently guides your baby’s skull into a more symmetrical shape.

Treatment is most effective in babies between 4-7 months and takes between 3-6 months to complete. Routinely babies up to the age of 14 months can be treated very successfully but treatment may take longer and results may not be as good with younger babies. It is possible to treat older babies and we have completed treatment with improvements in babies up to 24 months.

The Cranial Scanner

To provide the essential and accurate measurements for your baby’s Cranial Remoulding Orthosis, LOC uses a highly advanced portable laser scanning device in conjunction with 3D imaging computer software.

The scanner works by casting a fan of laser light over your baby’s head, this records a cross-sectional profile of your baby’s head, and instantly reconstructs a 3D computer model. With the use of two motion-tracking devices, your baby is able to sit in your lap and move his/her head while being scanned. This eliminates the need for distressing plaster casts which can be time consuming and messy. The scanner is accurate to within one millimetre and is completely safe.

Craniosynostosis

The LOC Band is not indicated in cases of Craniosynostosis (premature fusing of the sutures of the skull) or Hydrocephalus (an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain).

These conditions require medical/surgical intervention and are beyond the scope of Cranial Remoulding Therapy. However after the sutures are surgically released a LOC Band may be utilised to further shape the skull and protect the operative site.

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