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[Guest guest]

, and Caleb,

Welcome. We are all interested in learning more about alternative

treatment methods, especially ones that can help to avoid surgery. I

am curious to know where your doctor practices if you wouldn't mind

sharing that information.

We have previously had some other web sites listed through links

here with some limited information about French Physiotherapy

methods. Most of those sites and information is listed on the

Masoner's site at

http://www.clubfoot.net/treatment.php3

Also I have previously talked to Holly at the Dallas Scotish

Rite Hospital about their use of one of the French Physiotherapy

methods. That information can be found at

http://boards2.parentsplace.com/messages/get/ppclubfoot22/47.html

From a site the Masoner's found reporting on a 1997 Symposium on

Clubfoot treatments in Paris, there is some information on some of

the French methods and a brief report by Dr. Dimeglio (who it

appears is the doctor that developed the use of the Passive Motion

Machine) That site is at http://www.afcp.net/EFAS_97.html

Supposedly, one of the other main French Physiotherapy methods is one

developed by a Dr. Bensahel.

From these sites it appears that the French Physiotherapy methods

have success with non-surgical treatment between 50% to 75% of the

time, which is a lot better than most other doctors have been able to

achieve. And also, like the Ponseti method, if they are not

successful in eliminating the need for surgery, their use allows for

fewer surgical procedures to have to be used should that need arise.

We are glad that it is working well for Caleb and welcome

to our group.

and (3-17-99)

> Hi, Just found this egroup...it caught my eye because we are

> undergoing a non-surgical treatment for my son's clubfoot. He was

> born February 2, 2000 with clubfoot in his right foot. The

treatment

> is the physiotherapy developed in France. He is now 13 weeks old

and

> is nearly corrected. We have been totally amazed at how quickly he

> responded. He started treatment at 6 days old. There has been no

> serail casting and he normally sleeps through the treatment. It

> doesn't seem to bother him at all. He has had several casts

applied

> using Scotchcast, but the longest time in the cast was 2 days and

> then

> a removable splint was made from that. He did spent quite a bit of

> time with his leg taped to hold it in position. But, he no longer

> needs that now. He may possibly be put in a splint to sleep in,

but

> for now, he is not. For 6 weeks, he slept with his foot attached to

> a

> CPM (continous passive motion) machine that worked his foot. He

has

> such good movement now, that he no longer needs the CPM. Just

> thought

> you might be interested in hearing how this treatment worked for

us.

> We have pictures (although, not the best pictures) of his foot on

our

> webpage if anyone would like to take a look. Hope you find this

> information helpful.

>

> and Traci Merkel

>

> http://sites.netscape.net/jmerkelfamily/clubfoot