20 years of functional treatment for clubfoot: advantages and limitations compared with the Ponseti method

Currently, the Ponseti method has become the most popular technique for the management of congenital clubfoot. Besides this treatment, the functional method or the 'French method' (FFM) represents another treatment option. Throughout our study, we will describe this method, based on the 'Saint Vincent de Paul' protocol with some modifications that we bring progressively. Carried out over the last 20 years at our institution. In total 145 children (210 clubfeet) were treated using FFM. Our technique is based on the 'Saint Vincent de Paul' protocol from Paris. This method consists of daily manipulations of the feet by specialised physiotherapists associated with thermoformable orthotics devices. An evaluation of the patient at 5 year of age is performed. Gait analysis was introduced in 2011 as a complementary assessment tool. Less than 15% of the feet underwent a surgical procedure at walking age. Compliance to treatment was significantly higher than with the Ponseti method. At the last follow-up, 80% of the children had good to excellent results without major residual deformity. Totally 7% of the children required a later intervention either for recurrence or for major residual deformity. FFM is an alternative approach in the management of clubfoot that has proven to be successful due to the precision and modularity of its splinting system. Good compliance and low recurrence rate are other elements to consider. However, it requires a well-trained physical therapist. The main disadvantages of this method are the high cost compared to the Ponseti method and the difficulty of applying this method in developing countries.