Ponseti Clubfoot Clinic

What is the Ponseti Method?

The Ponseti method is a complete treatment method that is 97% successful in correcting the clubfoot deformity without major surgery that was common practise. Allowing your child to have pain free feet that move normally and will not limit your child from being able to run and play now or in adult life.

This programme of treatment starts with a series of plaster casts. These extend from the toes to the groin and are changed weekly. The foot position is gradually corrected with each plaster. Casting continues for 5-12 weeks and will be done by your physiotherapist or orthopaedic surgeon. This is followed by a small surgical procedure to divide the Achilles tendon or 'heel cord' which is required in the majority of cases.

Following this procedure a plaster cast is reapplied in the fully corrected position and left on for 3-4 weeks. When this plaster is removed, your child is fitted with a pair of boots connected together with a bar.

Now that the correction of the foot is achieved it is the parents job to maintain it by wearing these boots & bar (with our support). These are worn 23 hours per day for the following 12 weeks. After this they are worn for sleeping times until the age of 4 years.

Ponseti Method Summary