Alnefaie Abdulmajeed Muhaysin, Alzahrani Hosam, Alshehri Mansour Abdullah
Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Eradah Complex and Mental Health-Taif Health Cluster, Taif 26513, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
J Clin Med. 2025 Jun 27;14(13):4584. doi: 10.3390/jcm14134584.
: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, affecting 4-7% of the general population. Physiotherapy is a key component of conservative management. However, there is limited evidence on how physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia manage this condition. This study aimed to investigate current physiotherapy practices for plantar fasciitis in Saudi Arabia and assess their alignment with international clinical guidelines. : A cross-sectional survey was conducted among licensed physiotherapists practicing in Saudi Arabia who had treated patients with plantar fasciitis. An online questionnaire, adapted from a validated UK-based survey, gathered data on participant demographics, service characteristics, diagnostic criteria, treatment goals, outcome measures, and intervention strategies. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. : A total of 399 physiotherapists participated. Diagnosis was mainly based on clinical signs such as pain during plantar fascia stretch (72.9%), early morning pain (70.4%), and medial heel tenderness (69.4%). Common goals of intervention included pain reduction (93.4%), functional improvement (69.9%), and patient education (57.3%). Pain scales (74.9%) and functional tests (49.1%) were the most frequently used outcome measures. Interventions such as exercise therapy (92.0%), stretching (89.4%), and strengthening (84.7%) were widely used. More advanced modalities like shockwave therapy and dry needling were less frequently reported. : Physiotherapy practices largely align with international guidelines. However, variation in outcome assessments and underuse of advanced modalities indicate the need for national clinical guidelines and targeted training programs. These steps may promote more consistent, evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes in Saudi Arabia.
足底筋膜炎是足跟疼痛最常见的原因，影响着4%至7%的普通人群。物理治疗是保守治疗的关键组成部分。然而，关于沙特阿拉伯的物理治疗师如何管理这种疾病的证据有限。本研究旨在调查沙特阿拉伯目前针对足底筋膜炎的物理治疗实践，并评估其与国际临床指南的一致性。：对在沙特阿拉伯执业且治疗过足底筋膜炎患者的持牌物理治疗师进行了一项横断面调查。一份改编自经过验证的英国调查的在线问卷收集了有关参与者人口统计学、服务特征、诊断标准、治疗目标、结局指标和干预策略的数据。采用描述性统计进行分析。：共有399名物理治疗师参与。诊断主要基于临床体征，如足底筋膜拉伸时疼痛（72.9%）、清晨疼痛（70.4%）和足跟内侧压痛（69.4%）。常见的干预目标包括减轻疼痛（93.4%）、功能改善（69.9%）和患者教育（57.3%）。疼痛量表（74.9%）和功能测试（49.1%）是最常用的结局指标。运动疗法（92.0%）、拉伸（89.4%）和强化训练（84.7%）等干预措施被广泛使用。冲击波疗法和干针疗法等更先进的治疗方式报告较少。：物理治疗实践在很大程度上与国际指南一致。然而，结局评估的差异和先进治疗方式的使用不足表明需要国家临床指南和针对性的培训项目。这些措施可能会促进沙特阿拉伯更一致、基于证据的护理，并改善患者的治疗效果。
