| Study | Reason for exclusion |
|---|---|
| Andriesse 2008 | Not an RCT. Allocation was consecutive |
| Atar 1993 | Not an RCT |
| Aurell 2005 | Not an RCT. Treatment was allocated according to which hospital the participant attended |
| Chang 1991 | Not an RCT |
| DePuy 1989 | Not an RCT. A retrospective review of treatment method |
| DeRosa 1986 | Not an RCT |
| Dimeglio 1996 | Not an RCT |
| Doğan 2002 | Not an RCT |
| Farsetti 2009 | Not an RCT |
| Faulks 2009 | Not an RCT. A controlled clinical trial |
| Halanski 2010 | Not an RCT. A controlled clinical trial |
| Ippolito 2003 | Not an RCT |
| Janicki 2011 | Not an RCT |
| Kesemenli 2003 | Not an RCT |
| Kuo 2001 | Not an RCT |
| Li 2007 | Not an RCT |
| Miura 2005 | No mention of randomisation |
| Napiontek 2000 | Not an RCT |
| Narang 2011 | Not an RCT |
| Nilgün 2011 | Not an RCT |
| O'Brien 2004 | Not an RCT. A retrospective review |
| Ponseti 2006 | Not an RCT. A case series |
| Richards 2008 | Not an RCT. A controlled clinical trial |
| Simons 1985 | Not an RCT |
| Steinman 2009 | Not an RCT. A controlled clinical trial |
| Thompson 1982 | No mention of randomisation |
| Tschopp 2002 | Not an RCT |
| Uglow 2000 | Not an RCT |
| Xu 2011 | Not an RCT |
RCT: randomised controlled trial