The Congenital Torticollis (TC) is defined by a head attitude that from birth tilts laterally in one direction, while the chin is facing the opposite side. This disorder is always associated with other medical conditions such as bone defects and/or neurological disorders[6]

Congenital Muscle Torticollis (CMT) differs from Congenital Torticollis by a progressive appearance of symptoms in the first weeks of life whose clinical characteristic is the presence of persistent swelling (olive) in the Sterno-Cleido-Occipito-Mastoidian muscle (SCOM) and the absence of an associated medical condition.

Pour plus d’explication vous pouvez lire l’article suivant : Différence entre le Torticolis Musculaire Congénital et le syndrome de KiSS

Sandifer (SS) syndrome is defined as a paroxysmal dystonia* type movement disorder occurring in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and/or the presence of a hiatal hernia.

*muscle tone disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions responsible for abnormal attitudes.

The Congenital Asymmetric Pelvis (BCA) is described by Seringe, Bonnet and Langlais, in the article The congenital asymmetric basin: clinical, radiological and evolution study [11] as the basin equivalent of a torticollis at the neck. This means that the child has an asymmetric posture of the lower limbs. One of the lower limbs cannot be moved closer to the centre line. There is a muscle retraction of the homolateral hip abductors at the leg, a retraction of the contralateral hip adductors at the leg.

Echography differentiates it from congenital hip dislocation.

Hip dislocation (LCH) has been known since ancient times. It was a common condition that was unevenly distributed among the world’s population. It affects the female population more frequently, certain conditions of life before and after birth favour the development of CHL.

It is common to say that LCHs are more frequent in the Brittany, Creuse and Eastern regions.

Clinical signs of suspected congenital hip dislocation are identical to those of the asymmetric congenital pelvis but often associated with a cracking hip. Ultrasound makes it possible to differentiate it from the asymmetric congenital pelvis.

If we summarize these symptomatologies, it follows that posture disorders in infants can have as their origins:

• An articular malformation,
• Muscular hypertonicity,
• A neurological condition,
• A digestive origin,

However, it is never mentioned that the child can simply have a dysfunction of the articular mobility of a vertebral stage.

It is possible and it is what we call KiSS syndrome.

In fact, KiSS is a blockage of the cranio-cervical junction, i. e. the first joint between the base of the skull and the first cervical vertebra.

This joint dysfunction results in a postural adaptation of the whole body.

In keeping with the osteopathic concept, Sutherland used the following metaphor when referring to an Anglo-Saxon saying:” As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined ” which could be translated as : ” As the young shoot is curved, the tree bends “[2]. We then understand the interest of early osteopathic management of these children.

CO/C1 subluxation, hypothesis explaining the adaptive mechanisms of KiSS

In this case, the head is rotated right and tilted left.
 Ligaments and muscles in the suboccipital region are under stress, resulting in muscle spasm.

The cranio-cervical junction is impacted.

When the skull is dysfunctional, the centre of gravity is changed. There will be negative effects on the neurological and vascular structures of the base of the skull and neck. In particular, structures near the musculature will be under stress.

The vertebral arteries and first cervical nerves protrude from the posterior part of the occipito-atlantoid ligament. It is very likely that this ligament and others cause irritation of the neuromuscular system in KiSS syndrome.

Similarly, suboccipital ligaments, spinal erector muscles, small and large oblique, sternocleidomastoid, scapula elevators, trapezius, scalenes (especially anterior scalens) are involved in this situation.

Through the inclination of the skull, and the tensions of the muscles of the cervical spine, the pelvis will be positioned on one side to compensate for the imbalance of the body.

The pelvis pulling on one side of the spine will tilt the spine, causing a contraction of the back muscles on one side, and creating the opisthotonos.

False hip subluxation may be the result.

The corrective technique of KiSS syndrome leads to a normalization of C0/C1 subluxation. This also harmonizes the adaptive phenomena seen above.

The reharmonization process, after the correction of the C0/C1 subluxation, must include the reharmonization of all fascias.

Transbuccal typical radio of KiSS syndrome