Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint (2024)

FAQs

Do night splints really work for plantar fasciitis? ›

Night splints are drug-free and noninvasive, making them one of the most effective conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis. Depending on your condition, Dr. Glover may prescribe night splints along with other treatments to help your plantar fascia heal.

This position applies a constant, gentle stretch to the plantar fascia. It also stretches the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel, preventing it from contracting. You can wear night splints every night for up to several months.

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, it's essential to avoid sleeping in a prone position (face/belly down) to prevent contracture of the Achilles' tendon and calf muscle.. Instead, opt for sleeping on your back or side with a pillow placed under your knees or between your legs, respectively.

Press the tape down to make sure it's smooth around your foot. Remove the tape every night before bed. If daily taping irritates the skin, apply an adhesive pre-wrap tape before applying the zinc oxide tape. This also improves the adhesion of the zinc oxide tape.

A night splint can be difficult to sleep with, but it's an effective solution, and you don't need to wear it once the pain is gone.

There are several methods of treating plantar fasciitis and managing the pain effectively. One of the best ways to improve your foot pain is to apply compression. Compression increases blood flow, and increased blood flow means faster healing.

Pressure on the toes can cause them to tingle or go numb. Some straps can be hot and sweaty. Larger styles are uncomfortable to wear at night. Braces with thin padding can cause the foot to slide and lose the stretch.

There are a variety of treatments available, from plantar fasciitis arch support to stretches, and special nighttime boots that can relieve pain and promote healing. Thankfully, with consistent treatment, nearly 90 percent of cases heal.

Doctors may recommend conservative treatment, such as plantar fasciitis massage and stretching, before turning to more significant treatment measures. Massage can help stretch the plantar fascia and increase blood flow to the area, which can promote healing.

Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, such as icing the painful area, stretching, and modifying or staying away from activities that cause pain.

Does plantar fasciitis ever go away? ›

Plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, but it can take more than a year for the pain to subside. Without treatment, complications can occur.

Sleeping in this position both shortens the plantar fascia as well as the Achilles tendon. Night splints are recommended by podiatrists like Dr. Verville because they change the position of your feet while you sleep. They put your feet in active mode so that you get a nice stretch all night long while you're dreaming.

Night splints are used while sleeping. Most night splints have some form of grip on the bottom of the brace to allow for minimal standing and walking in the night. The correction provided by the night splint may take some time to get used to.

Wearing specially designed socks for plantar fascia at night or putting them on and doing some stretches before you get out of bed can help alleviate this morning pain.

Stretching and Physical Therapy

Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. Stretching should be focused on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises that you can repeat at home several times a day.

The recovery time for plantar fasciitis can take anywhere from a few days in the best cases to a few years depending on how severe your condition is and how soon you begin treatment. Of course, leaving your condition untreated or even undergoing the wrong type of treatment can prolong recovery times.