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.

The need for spaced radiological follow-up of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) stimulates the development of radiation-free methodologies to document spinal curvature parameters. The aim of the study was to develop a methodology, referred to as A-Palp, using index finger pulp palpation to assess 3D spinal curvature in the standing position in patients and control group. To estimate repeatability for 2D/3D curvature angles, three manual palpations of spinal curvature were performed by one examiner using an index finger pulp calibrated in an optoelectronic system to acquire these curvature angles in the sagittal and frontal planes and in the 3D plane of maximum curvature. The intrarater repeatability was analysed by generalisability theory and the dependability index ϕ combined with a decision D-study to judge the number of desirable repetitions. The A-Palp/radiograph concurrent validity of 2D/3D apex angles was studied by linear regression and Bland-Altman plot. For the scoliosis angle in AIS patients, the ϕ index was excellent, above 0.9, with a standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change below 3° and 9°, respectively. For A-Palp/radiograph comparison, 95% of 2D and 3D measurement results were between 8° and 11° below and 12° and 5° above the radiographic apex angle, respectively, with a bias below 3°. The good repeatability and concurrent validity show that this innovative radiation-free 3D methodology seems suitable for the assessment of AIS patients when the same examiner repeats the measurement two or three times according to the D-study.