Abstract
Background: Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting a significant proportion of the adult population. Despite the availability of various treatment modalities, there remains variability in clinical practice and outcomes.
Objective: To systematically review and critically analyze the effectiveness of evidence-based physiotherapeutic interventions in the management of PF.
Methods: A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published between 2003 and 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating physiotherapy interventions for PF were included. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed using standardized tools.
Results: A total of 45 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for qualitative synthesis and critical review. Evidence suggests that exercise therapy, particularly plantar fascia-specific stretching and strengthening, is the most effective intervention. Manual therapy combined with exercise showed superior outcomes compared to isolated treatments. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) demonstrated significant benefits in chronic cases. Adjunctive modalities such as LLLT, TUS, and TENS showed variable results. Emerging techniques including dry needling and MFR indicated promising short-term outcomes.
Conclusion: Physiotherapeutic management of PF is most effective when delivered through a multimodal, individualized approach. Exercise therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment, supported by manual therapy and selected adjunctive modalities. Further high-quality research is required to establish standardized protocols and long-term effectiveness.
Keywords
Plantar fasciitis, Physiotherapy, Exercise therapy, Manual therapy, ESWT, Rehabilitation, Evidence-based practice