Pain and soreness are common symptoms of plantar fasciitis, which can impede physical activity. The plantar fascia stiffens overnight, creating difficulty in stretching adequately and eventually causing discomfort. This is why symptoms are greater in the morning.
It can feel that managing the pain of chronic plantar fasciitis is a comprehensive job. Whether you spend the majority of your waking hours at a job, or on vacation, finding time for pain relief is difficult.
Every year, around 2 million individuals are treated for this illness.
Although there are many treatments for Plantar Fasciitis, one of the most effective ones is plantar fasciitis night splints.
What Is a Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint?
In night splinting, the patient holds his or her ankle in a specified posture through the night. As a result, calf plus plantar fascia stretch passively, while the patient sleeps. The goal is to let the fascia repair on its own.
You can wear it on either foot. It also has an anti-slip pad at the bottom so you can move around comfortably during the night if necessary. Furthermore, after adjusting the plantar fasciitis brace to your foot, you can slip it on and off if you like.
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Do Night Splints Work for Plantar Fasciitis?
Many customers report that the morning soreness in their feet is much decreased. Night splints also provide the user with the supportive stretching they may require while on their feet during the day.
Although multiple studies have demonstrated that patients without prior therapy for plantar fasciitis have a significant reduction of heel discomfort in the short term, during a two-year follow-up, this application had no meaningful effect on preventing recurrences.
The bottom line is that when used in conjunction with physical therapy, rest, and other treatments, night splints can help relieve symptoms and lessen heel pain.
How Does a Night Splint Work for Plantar Fasciitis?
The triceps surae muscle normally leads the ankle joint to be in a plantar-flexed position when at rest. The plantar fascia and intrinsic plantar musculature shrink, rest, and get used to a relaxed state overnight when the foot is in this position.
Night splints provide continual and regular support. This not only keeps the plantar fascia and intrinsic muscles functionally long but also reduces tension, which you are having in your intrinsic muscles and plantar fascia.
Benefits of Using a Plantar Fasciitis Splint
The best part about night splints is that they stretch the fascia softly! The user does not experience any significant discomfort while wearing them. The plantar fascia will be less stiff after stretching. This implies that the user will feel less discomfort! For some people, sleeping in splints is the greatest option. However, many other users claim to have seen greater benefits after wearing the splints for a longer time.
Other benefits of using night splints include:
- A night splint is quite helpful and as soon as pain ends, you don’t need to use it.
- It increases blood flow and circulation while sleeping, which can help break up adhesions and scar tissue.
- It allows you to manage your heel pain as you sleep will hasten the healing process.
Type of Night Splints
Mostly Night Splints are available for 2 types.
#1. Traditional Night Splints
The two most common varieties of night splints are as follows. Night splints are boot-like brace that is worn on the back of the calf, foot, or leg during night. The internal layer is made of soft material, while the outside layer is constructed of plastic. However, because they are huge and rigid, they can make walking difficult.
These splints also have certain advantages. They are easily adjustable, allowing you to find the perfect stretch angle for your comfort.
A traditional night splint may be the appropriate solution for you if you need a little extra stretch to keep your morning pain at bay because you can adjust the stretch. It is crucial to do your homework by reading reviews and selecting a product with a money-back guarantee. This way, you get something that performs well.
#2. Sock Night Splints
Unlike other night splints, a Sock Splint is comprised of soft materials and is lightweight and comfortable to wear. Instead of a cumbersome boot, Velcro straps, or pushing on the toes, a lightweight plastic splint is used to stretch the plantar fascia ligament.
These are simple to use, keep your feet cool, and provide your arch a relaxing stretch by pushing pressure upward into the arch during the night. This positions the plantar fascia ligament in the optimal position, offering relief from morning plantar fasciitis. However, a traditional night splint with fully adjustable stretch may be better for people with very severe plantar fasciitis.
How to Wear a Night Splint for Plantar Fasciitis
The idea of a night splint is to basically keep the foot at an approximately 90 degrees angle to the leg. This is because generally, people with this condition have pain with initial rising out of bed. By keeping the foot stretched out to the leg at night, it keeps the mechanoreceptors stretched out at night which tends to reverse the pain.
An anterior night splint is a shell with a Velcro closure that fits over the front of the ankle. It attaches to the foot. Then there is a posterior or the traditional night splint which fits behind the leg and holds the foot.
The posterior night splint is essentially a Velcro and buckles closure system. Here the Velcro is adjustable to your foot shape as it fits into the brace. The Velcro and buckle secure the foot resulting in a 90 degree to the leg.
For the anterior night splint, the shell fits directly over the front portion of your foot. Then the sleeve slips over the forefoot and finally, the Velcro closure secures that foot. This will also result in a 90-degree angle.
When you have just started to use night splints, wear them for only about an hour each time. Then, gradually increase the time you spend in the splints.