Night Splint

What is a Night Splint?

A night splint is a corrective device that may be used as a treatment for any of the following foot conditions: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, plantar flexion contractures, heel spurs, equinus conditions, pronation syndromes and muscle tightening and runner’s cramp.  It derived its name due to the fact that this kind of splint is usually worn at night while sleeping.

Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints

The term "night splint" is often interchangeable with "plantar fasciitis night splint" because they are most often used for plantar fasciitis treatment. It is one of the most common conditions affecting the feet and these splints are effective in offering temporary relief for plantar fasciitis, especially for the morning pain that is often associated with the condition.

What Does a Night Splint Do?

A night splint is designed to offer a controlled amount of dorsiflexion (pushing the foot and toes up toward your shins) which provides a gentle stretch to the Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and plantar fascia while you are resting. It basically prevents your foot from bending downward. A night splint helps reduce muscle contraction and tendon or ligament tightening, putting injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a better postion for healing and reducing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Why Would I Wear a Night Splint?

A lot of individuals who suffer with plantar fasciitis experience severe pain in the morning. During the night, the position of the feet and ankles causes the plantar fascia to tighten. In the morning when pressure is placed on the foot, the fascia, which has tightened overnight and has started healing in that position, is suddenly stretched and pulled causing extreme pain. A night splint works to improve this problem by holding the fascia, and achilles in a better position overnight.

Who Uses Night Splints?

The night splint has been used as an effective overnight treatment to reduce symptoms of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, heel pain and heel spurs in all ages. Night splints are generally designed to be easy to put on, comfortable to sleep in, adjustable to fit your size and constructed with lightweight material.

Problems With Night Splints

Some patients have trouble sleeping while wearing a night splint.  Another big issue is that according to the underlying problem, they often provide temporary relief only. If an underlying biomechanical problem in your feet is causing plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, or other associated problems, a night splint may help the symptoms, but it will not correct the alignment.

Orthotic insoles used in conjunction with night splints are the best way to take care of things if alignment and biomechanical issues are part of the problem.

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