Abstract
Background: Plantar Fasciopathy (“PF”), commonly known as plantar fasciitis, is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions affecting the foot, characterised by heel pain and degeneration of the plantar fascia. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, no standardised treatment protocol exists in South Africa, leading to variations in clinical practice. This study aims to explore the treatment modalities used by podiatrists, their perceived effectiveness, and challenges associated with managing PF.
Aim: The primary aim of this study was to investigate different treatment modalities used by podiatrists in South Africa to treat PF. It sought to assess podiatrists’ understanding of the condition, factors influencing treatment choices, and the perceived effectiveness of interventions.
Methods: The study was a descriptive design utilising a quantitative method. The researcher used a self-constructed questionnaire to collect data from registered podiatrists, and the questionnaire was piloted before the data collection began.
Results: Conservative treatments were the most used by podiatrists in this study. The results showed that orthotics were used by 92.1% of the participants, Corticosteroid injections (50.8%), stretching exercises (84.7%), and patient education (92.1%) were highly favoured. Corticosteroid injections (50.8%) remained a popular intervention, despite potential complications. Shockwave therapy (65.9%) and dry needling (44.4%) were used less frequently, despite international evidence supporting their efficacy. Challenges identified included late patient presentation, poor adherence to prescribed treatments, and high treatment costs, limiting access to advanced therapies.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that South African podiatrists follow international best practices, with conservative management being the primary approach. However, limited accessibility to advanced therapies, a lack of standardised treatment protocols, and cost barriers affect patient outcomes. The study highlights the need for national clinical guidelines, improved patient education, and expanded access to cost-effective treatment modalities to optimise the management of PF in South Africa.