Physiotherapists and podiatrists have differing perceptions of plantar fasciitis

NewsBot · Nov 15, 2014

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A survey comparing the perceptions of physiotherapists and podiatrists in the management of plantar fasciitis
Nicola C Ferdinand Gordon D Smith
International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation Volume 21, Issue 11 2014

Background/Aims: Despite its prevalence, there is limited research into why patient outcomes for plantar fasciitis are poor. To elicit possible reasons for this, this study aimed to compare the perceptions of physiotherapists and podiatrists in plantar fasciitis management and their role in treating it.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were emailed to physiotherapists and podiatrists to investigate their perceptions of plantar fasciitis management and their roles in treating the condition. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using frequencies and chi-squared tests to detect differences in responses between physiotherapists and podiatrists.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 230 physiotherapists and 227 podiatrists. The results indicated that, on the whole, physiotherapists and podiatrists have different perceptions of: the most effective treatments for plantar fasciitis; factors contributing to poor patient outcomes; and their roles. However, some areas of agreement were indicated: calf-stretching was deemed the most effective treatment; customised foot orthoses was identified as being the specialist role of podiatrists; and delayed referrals from doctors was highlighted as one of the main factors reducing patient outcomes for this condition. No consensus was reached on the specialist role of physiotherapists in the management of plantar fasciitis.

Conclusions: The findings show that physiotherapists and podiatrists generally have different perceptions on how plantar fasciitis should be managed. It is suggested that more research into treatment effectiveness would help standardise clinical decision-making in health care teams and improve patient outcomes.
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NewsBot · Jan 29, 2019

PERCEPTION OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND ORTHOPEDICS IN MANAGEMENT OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Noureen Farooq et al
International Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences (IJRS), [S.l.], v. 7, n. 02, dec. 2018.

Background: Planter fasciitis is the degenerative disease of the planter fascia that affects up to 10 % of the general population. Around 2 million people in the United States were reported to seek treatment for plantar fasciitis annually. According to the perception of physiotherapists and orthopedics, Orthopaedics perceive that short-term pain relief is easily achievable. Physiotherapists perceive that their treatment is more effective for long term pain relief.

Objectives: To find out the perception of physical therapist and orthopedics in management of plantar fasciitis

Methodology: Cross sectional survey was conducted and total of 249 participants were included. 75 were orthopedic surgeons and 174 were physical therapists with at least one year clinical experience. Data was collected from orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists in Al Nafees Medical Hospital, National institute of rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (AFIRM), Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) situated in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and wah cant through self structured questionnaire. Results were presented in mean, frequency and percentage.

Results: Results showed that female patients are more prone to plantar fasciitis and it is more common in population between 40 to 60 years of age. Patients came across with acute plantar fasciitis and diagnosed by area of pain. Physiotherapists treat patient with stretching exercises and ultrasound therapy while orthopedic surgeons treat patients with NSAIDS, steroid injections and shoe modification. Orthopedic treatment is more effective for short term pain relief. Physiotherapy treatment is effective for long term effects.
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