Illustration of a child with clubfoot walking through a vibrant landscape, symbolizing overcoming challenges.

Clubfoot and Beyond: Unraveling Non-Motor Difficulties in Children

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Beyond the Brace: Exploring the often-overlooked challenges faced by children with clubfoot and how they impact their well-being."

Clubfoot, a congenital condition affecting the foot, requires dedicated treatment and care from the earliest stages of a child's life. While much of the focus lies on the physical correction of the foot, a growing body of research highlights the importance of recognizing the broader challenges children with clubfoot face. It's time we look beyond the physical brace and consider the wider implications of clubfoot on a child's development.

This article examines the non-motor difficulties that can accompany clubfoot, providing a clearer understanding of the challenges these children experience. From social interactions and memory to focus and writing, clubfoot can have a lasting impact. The article draws on scientific studies and real-world experiences to illustrate these points.

For parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in supporting children with clubfoot, this is a comprehensive guide. We will discuss the research, offer practical tips, and provide resources to help navigate the journey. Together, we can help children with clubfoot not only walk with ease but also thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Beyond Physical Therapy: Unpacking Non-Motor Challenges

Illustration of a child with clubfoot walking through a vibrant landscape, symbolizing overcoming challenges.

The Ponseti method is now the standard treatment for clubfoot, which has shifted the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot to non-operative casting and in some instances, tendon transfer at a later age. Recurrence rates at 2 to 3 years after initial treatment have been reported to be high at 30% to 40%. Many centers now recommend 4 to 5 years of brace wear to prevent recurrence. Despite the success of physical interventions, it's become clear that children with clubfoot may also face less-discussed challenges.

Recent research, like the study by Lööf et al., has begun to uncover these hidden challenges. They found that children with clubfoot often experience difficulties beyond the physical limitations of their feet. These can include attention problems, memory issues, and challenges with social interactions. Such difficulties might impact the child's overall well-being. This includes their capacity to form friendships and succeed in school. These insights emphasize the need for a holistic approach to care.

Attention and Focus: Some children struggle to maintain focus, impacting their schoolwork and daily tasks.
Memory: Difficulties with memory can hinder learning and the ability to retain information.
Writing Skills: Challenges with fine motor skills or coordination may affect writing abilities.
Peer Interaction: Social interactions can be difficult, affecting friendships and social development.

Understanding these challenges is the first step towards providing comprehensive support. It is a step towards helping children overcome these obstacles. Support for parents, therapists, and educators can ensure children with clubfoot get the care they need to thrive. This includes targeted support programs, emotional support, and adapting educational practices.

Looking Ahead: Empowering Children and Families

The journey for a child with clubfoot extends far beyond physical therapy. By understanding and addressing non-motor challenges, we empower children to succeed in all areas of life. With a proactive approach, support and resources, we can create a brighter future for these children, ensuring they walk with confidence and thrive in every step of their journey.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/dmcn.14037, Alternate LINK

Title: Non‐Motor Difficulties In Children With Idiopathic Clubfoot: Can This Impact Brace Adherence?

Subject: Neurology (clinical)

Journal: Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Alice Chu

Published: 2018-10-10

Everything You Need To Know

What are some of the non-motor difficulties that children with clubfoot might experience beyond just the physical challenges?

Children with clubfoot may encounter difficulties such as attention and focus problems which affects schoolwork, memory issues that hinder learning, challenges with writing skills due to fine motor skill deficits, and difficulties in peer interactions that impact friendships and social development. These challenges highlight that addressing clubfoot requires more than just physical interventions like the Ponseti method.

How does the Ponseti method relate to non-motor difficulties in children with clubfoot?

While the Ponseti method is effective for the physical correction of clubfoot, it doesn't address the non-motor difficulties that some children with clubfoot experience. Even with successful physical interventions, children may still face challenges with attention, memory, writing skills, and social interaction. This indicates that a holistic approach is necessary, combining physical treatment with support for cognitive and social-emotional development.

What implications do attention and focus problems have for children with clubfoot, and how can these challenges be addressed?

Attention and focus problems can significantly impact a child's ability to perform well in school and complete daily tasks. These difficulties might stem from underlying neurological factors or be related to the stress and challenges associated with managing a physical condition like clubfoot. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including targeted support programs in schools, strategies for improving concentration, and potentially involving specialists to assess and manage attention-related disorders. Additionally, creating a supportive and understanding environment at home and in the classroom can greatly benefit these children.

In what ways can difficulties with memory impact children with clubfoot, and what strategies can help them improve their memory skills?

Memory difficulties can hinder a child's ability to retain information, impacting learning and academic performance. Strategies to improve memory skills include incorporating visual aids, using mnemonic devices, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and creating a structured learning environment. Consistent reinforcement and repetition can also be beneficial. Parents and educators can work together to identify the most effective techniques for each child, ensuring they receive the necessary support to overcome memory-related challenges.

How can parents, therapists, and educators support children with clubfoot to overcome the non-motor obstacles they may face, ensuring they thrive in all aspects of their lives?

Parents, therapists, and educators can provide comprehensive support by understanding and addressing the non-motor challenges associated with clubfoot. This includes offering targeted support programs for attention and memory issues, providing emotional support to help children navigate social interactions, and adapting educational practices to accommodate individual needs. Collaboration between these key figures is essential to ensure that children with clubfoot receive the holistic care they need to succeed both physically and developmentally, empowering them to walk with confidence and thrive in every step of their journey.