Prevalence of Plantar Fasciitis and Its Association with Prolonged Standing among Healthcare Workers: Plantar Fasciitis and Its Association with Prolonged Standing among Healthcare Workers

Khansa Fatima Chisti; Asma Akram; Sana Tauqeer; Taimoor Ahmed; Ayesha Faryad; Aqsa Majeed; Sana Asghar

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v9i2.1345

Authors

Khansa Fatima Chisti University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Asma Akram University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sana Tauqeer University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Taimoor Ahmed University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Ayesha Faryad University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Aqsa Majeed University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sana Asghar University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v9i2.1345

Keywords:

Plantar Fasciitis, Healthcare Workers, Occupational Risk Factors, Work Performance, Quality of Life, Foot Pain

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a widespread heel and foot pain, especially in healthcare workers (HCWs), who are required to spend long periods standing/walking. PF is a poorly researched variable in this population, although it affects the quality of life and work performance. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, effect, and risk factors of plantar fasciitis (PF) in healthcare professionals, its effect on job performance, and quality of life. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out on 176 healthcare workers at four tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. The respondents were asked to fill in a structured questionnaire on demographics, occupational risk factors, and the severity of the PF symptoms. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze data through descriptive statistics. Results: The study included 176 healthcare workers with an average age of 37 ±9 years. Over 60% were female, with nursing staff making up 24.4%, followed by physiotherapists and medical doctors. And 57.4% (101/176) of participants reported experiencing heel pain. However, using a more specific clinical case definition (pain on first waking, localized to the medial calcaneal tubercle, and worsening after prolonged rest), the prevalence of classic plantar fasciitis was determined to be 42.4% (75/176). Conclusions: The prevalence of PF among healthcare workers was high, especially in employees with long working hours and inadequate footwear decisions. PF affects the physical health and working performance of medical workers in a negative way, which underlines the necessity of specific preventive measures and workplace coping that can enhance the quality of life.

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