Comparison of Clinical Practices and Treatment Preferences by Physical Therapists for Patients of Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common and disabling condition. it is the most common cause of heel pain accounting for 11 to 15% of all foot symptoms and affects all age groups, genders, and ethnicities, with higher prevalence reported in females between 40 to 60 years. It is usually associated with pain at the calcaneum's anteromedial prominence and activity limitation. Various therapeutic approaches are used in the management of plantar fasciitis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical practice and treatment preferences in patients with plantar fasciitis within and after six weeks of the onset of plantar fasciitis using a self-designed questionnaire. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey comprising 100 physical therapists working in different public and private selected clinical settings. Participants were selected through a simple random sampling technique. The study included all participants who were registered physiotherapists actively working in government/ private and welfare clinical settings whereas, those physiotherapists who are not working in clinical settings and have not treated plantar fasciitis patients were excluded from the study. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, informed consent was obtained, and self-designed Performa was filled in. A self-designed questionnaire is used as a data collection tool. It comprised 12 closed-ended questions. Percentages were calculated for all quantitative variables. Descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation were reported for quantitative variables. Spearman correlation coefficient was applied to assess the association between qualitative variables. Results: The results of this study suggested that the use of treatment modalities varied across physiotherapists. Within six weeks of onset, shoe alterations, strengthening exercises, steroid injection, acupuncture, and ultrasound showed significant results whereas, after six weeks of onset, wobble board, cryotherapy, steroid injections, and ultrasound showed significant results. Conclusion: The results of this study have highlighted the current level of evidence-based practice and diversity in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of plantar fasciitis used amongst physical therapists according to their clinical experience and availability of treatment modalities.