helmet question--in need of feedback

[kpowers1]

Hello--

Our son Logan had the Pi procedure done about 6 weeks ago--we jus saw the NS and she said he was doing great----the back and sides have fused but the top is around 50% fused-----it is being slower. The visit went well and we were to go back in six weeks.

We got a call today from the PA saying that the NS emailed her late evening after thinking about us--- (our NS has three little ones too) and said she wanted to give us the option of using a molding helmet-----

The first reason being for protective reasons-----our Logan is almost a year old and is trying to walk--so you can imagine the stress-----I think she picked up on our anxiety and worry about him hitting his head and we were also worried about us not encouraging his walking etc out of fear........so she said the main reason would be for prtotection and to help us ease our stress-----and secondly to help fusion----that it would speed up the process.

She noted we could use it for as long as we wanted---the next 6 weeks or longer but does not see more than 3 months max-----but it is optional. I asked if we could use it just for the daytime when he is all over the place and trying to walk and at gymboree etc.............and not to use it at night---The PA said it would be fine--as long as we did not use it it tooo intermittedly since it would not fit if we only used it here and there------


So------------any advice???? What what you do??Do you have confort by having it on? Does anyone see any other pro's or cons to using just during the day? Has anyone used a helmet primarily for protection due ot age/activity level?

ANy help is very much appreicated

[Sophia's_mom]

I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't know. I don't recall anyone have a helmet post-op after having the Pi procedure done. I'm not totally familiar with the Pi procedure, is it similar to the strip with barrel cuts? I don't really see how a helmet could hurt in that situation. I'd maybe talk with the ortho first and get their input too, those guys are usually very knowledgable, and since the see the results of the helmet therapy they may be able to give you some good advice.

[Tyler&Jakobsmommy]

Hmmm...It seems like if you wanted it for protection you would get the soft foam type. Another thing to look into is will insurance cover it? It would cost around $2000. I'm not sure how it would help the top fuse up though. I don't think my boys had much discomfort with there helmets but they had to wear them 23 hours a day. If they only had to wear it sometimes I think it would be hard to get used to.

[ayersjulie]

Hmm. I'm also not familiar with the PI procedure or helmet therapy for that matter. I hope the docs can give you some pros and cons and help you make your decision. Also, Holly has a great point about the cost and whether or not ins will pay. Best of luck and keep us posted on this :)

[Kate Carey-Trull]

I think I responded to a different post -- my son had a modified pi procedure at 3 months old. We didn't have the concern about him moving so much right away, but he is crawling now and pulling up on things at 10.5 months. We didn't have a helmet and he still has lots of spots all over his head where his skull hasn't fused back yet, like soft spots from the surgery. OUr surgeon told us a helmet would not be recommended in our case, but that may be b/c of the age difference?
Good luck and keep us posted...