Find answers to common queries about Starband, treatments, and services in our comprehensive FAQ section.
Starband is a custom cranial orthosis designed to correct abnormal head shapes in infants. It gently guides the baby’s head into a more normal shape by resisting growth over the prominent areas and encouraging growth in the flatter areas.
Many infants respond well to early repositioning and therapy programs. Research from Steinberg et al article from 2015 for 4,378 patients shows that only 1 in 3 infants evaluated for an abnormal head shape are recommended for Starband treatment.
Starband is designed to treat deformational plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and dolichocephaly, commonly known as flat head syndrome. It helps reshape the baby’s skull by resisting growth over the prominent areas, promoting proper head growth and development over the areas of flattening.
Yes! Starband 3D uses advanced printing technology to provide an effective orthosis that is lighter and more ventilated. Your Starband clinician can discuss the merits of each Star Family design relative to the unique needs of your child.
There are other 3D printed headbands available from other providers but Starband 3D is the only one developed from more than 25 years of experience in cranial remolding medical devices.
Your baby needs to wear the Starband helmet for 23 hours a day, with one hour off for hygiene and skin care.
Starband is most effective for infants between 3 and 18 months of age, when the skull is still malleable.
Yes, the Starband is custom fit to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness for your baby.
Most parents see noticeable improvements within 2-4 weeks, with full treatment typically lasting 3 to 6 months depending on the severity of the condition.
As a manufacturer of medical devices, Orthomerica partners with physicians and clinicians who prescribe and use our products. We work hand in hand with these medical professionals to provide superior products that meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. Contact us at starband@orthomerica.com to become a Starband provider.
Orthomerica’s Starband Cranial Course provides fundamental and basic instruction preparing qualified clinicians with the knowledge to provide the best possible care and treatment for infants with deformational plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and dolichocephaly, as well as postoperative craniosynostosis. Additional webinars, clinical memos and our biannual Star Summit provide continuing education in the treatment of deformational and synostotic head shapes. Orthomerica’s clinical team is available for clinical support when troubleshooting challenging patient presentations. You can find additional Starband resources here.
Patient evaluations include 3D scans with objective measurements and a discussion about the best treatment options available based on the patient’s age and head shape severity. Conservative treatment may be recommended. Starband treatment is reserved for patients aged 4-6 months presenting with a moderate to severe head shapes. A scan is submitted to Orthomerica Products Inc. to manufacture the Starband, and the orthosis is shipped back to the customer to fit to the patient within 14 days of the scan date.
– The Star Family includes 7 FDA cleared designs to best treat unique patient presentations.
– The Starband is strategically designed to only need one band to successfully complete treatment.
– The Starband is backed by over 50 independent studies confirming its effectiveness, showcasing its proven success in treating cranial deformities.
– Starband providers have received Masters-level training in treating patients with deformational and synostotic head shapes.
Starscanner and SmartSoc scanning technologies are used exclusively with Orthomerica’s Star Family of cranial remolding orthoses. These scanning systems provide over 240 linear and volume measurements for quantifying and tracking the correction in cranial asymmetry and disproportion. Contact Orthomerica at starband@orthomerica.com to add these scanning technologies to your cranial program.
The Starband 3D optimizes the benefits of 3D printing while maintaining the integrity of the traditional Starband. The Starband 3D offers a lightweight, low profile, ventilated option to encourage better compliance with orthotic treatment.
The cranial band should be cleaned once per day. Parents often find time during the hour the band is off during bath time. Your clinician may instruct you to clean more frequently depending on skin sensitivity and other environmental factors.
Spray 91% isopropyl alcohol into the headband and wipe down with a clean cloth or paper towel and allow the headband to dry completely. More information here.
Most rashes are easily resolved by keeping the band clean and dry with an increased cleaning schedule. Clean the band with 91% isopropyl alcohol two times per day: (1) at the first diaper change in the morning, and (2) just before bedtime in the evening. Also, wipe out the band with a damp paper towel and pat dry at each diaper change during the day. Be sure to check the skin and wipe your baby’s head down with a damp paper towel and pat dry each time you take the band off.
Always contact your STARband orthotist for clinical guidance any time there is increasing redness or a rash that lasts longer than an hour when the band is removed. Do not use any lotions or oils on your child’s head unless recommended by your orthotist or physician.
You can still enjoy your outdoor summer activities! Keeping your baby lightly dressed in a onesie and minimizing time in the direct sun with the STARband will keep your baby cool while continuing with the full-time 23-hour per day wearing schedule in the summer. Wiping the band out with a damp paper towel and wiping your baby’s head at each diaper change will keep your baby’s skin clean and dry.
Follow these tips to keep your baby cool this summer!
This will vary across the country and depends on many factors such as insurance coverage. The best way of determining the cost is to schedule an appointment at your local Starband clinic for an evaluation. The cost of the Starband most often includes the scans and appointments needed to evaluate, fit, and maintain the orthosis throughout the course of treatment.
Every insurance plan is different. The most accurate way of checking to see if the helmet will be covered is to call your insurance and inquire about the benefits available to you and your child. The standard revenue billing code is S1040 – Cranial remolding orthosis. The most commonly used diagnoses codes are Q67.3 for plagiocephaly and Q75.0 for craniosynostosis. Be sure to ask your insurance representative if the helmet is covered for deformational or positional skull deformities, or after surgery if your child has craniosynostosis.
Each orthosis is billed as a separate charge. The good news is that greater than 99% of patients complete treatment of a deformational head shape in only ONE Starband! So you don’t need to worry about paying for a second helmet!
Click the “Find a Clinic” button below or email us at starband@orthomerica.com to find a clinic in your area!
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