What is an underlying cause of torticollis?

An underlying cause of torticollis is the tightness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This muscle plays a crucial role in head movement and position, and when it becomes tight or shortened, it results in a tilt of the head toward the affected side while the chin may turn toward the opposite side. This condition can occur for various reasons, such as muscle injury, abnormal positioning during pregnancy, or even congenital factors.

Understanding the mechanics of how the sternocleidomastoid functions helps clarify why its tightness leads to torticollis. This muscle contracts to facilitate head rotation and tilting, so when it is impacted by tightness, it constrains the normal range of motion, causing the characteristic head posture associated with torticollis.

Other potential causes, such as nerve damage, a broken collarbone, or weakness in the neck muscles, do not directly lead to the muscular imbalance seen in torticollis as tightly as the effect of the sternocleidomastoid muscle's condition.