Ponseti clubfoot treatment has become more popular during the last decade because of its high initial correction rate. But the most common problem affecting the long-term successful outcome is relapse of the deformity. Non-compliance with Ponseti brace protocol is a major problem associated with relapse. Although more comfortable braces have been reported to improve the compliance, they all have the same design and no significant changes have been made to the protocols. After refinement in the Ponseti method and emphasizing the importance of brace to parents, the relapse rate has been markedly decreased. Nevertheless, there are patients who do not have any recurrence although they are not completely compliant with the brace treatment, whereas other patients have a recurrence even though they are strictly compliant with the brace treatment. The aim of this article is to review the relapse of clubfoot and the function of the brace and to develop an individualized brace protocol for each patient by analyzing the mechanism of the brace and the biomechanical properties of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

We found that the observed clinically important variation may have been the result of deviations from the details regarding manipulation, casting, percutaneous Achilles tenotomy, use of the bar-connected brace, and indication for relapse recognition and management recommended for the classic Ponseti approach to clubfoot management. We strongly recommend that clinicians follow the Ponseti method as it initially was described without deviation to optimize treatment outcomes.

Level II-prognostic.