ProWedge 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.

He finds patients benefit most from splints if they have had severe pain in the morning. Lawrence Huppin, DPM, only uses splints for patients who have had plantar fasciitis of several months' duration. He has long-term patients wear the splints for three to four weeks.

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.

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.

Night splint

These sock-like wraps with built-in supports help stretch the plantar fascia while you're sleeping or resting. A splint can help alleviate pain experienced with those first few steps in the morning.

Relaxed Muscles and Tendons: Elevating your feet can also help to relax the muscles and tendons in your feet, potentially reducing tension on the plantar fascia.

The pain of plantar fasciitis usually increases gradually and is typically felt near the heel. Sometimes the pain can be sudden, occurring after missing a step or jumping from a height. The pain tends to be the worst when you get up in the morning or after other periods of inactivity.

It may take several months for your pain to go away completely. If you continue to have symptoms after several months of treatment, you and your doctor may also consider corticosteroid shots and even surgery. When your pain and tenderness have gone away, increase your activity level gradually.

Since rest and proper arch support are the best treatment modalities, sitting or desk duties are preferred for patients with plantar fasciitis. Patients should take 1 to 3 weeks off work if prolonged standing, walking, climbing stairs, or heavy lifting and exertion are their main duties.

Should I rub my plantar fasciitis? ›

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.

Applying ice to the injured tissue, massaging the area, or using a combination of both approaches 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 10 minutes at a time can help to treat plantar fasciitis. Rolling the bottom of your foot on a plastic ball covered in soft spikes is an easy form of massage your doctor may recommend.

If you sleep with your foot down at the ankle, especially if you sleep on your stomach -- you are holding your foot in a down position for hours! When you get out of bed and step down all of a sudden your foot goes up at the ankle and there is a tremendous strain on the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia.

The patented, FDA registered Strassburg Sock has been proven effective in the largest independent night splint study ever conducted. Patients in the research study recovered in an average of 18.5 days with 97.8% of patients recovering within 8 weeks. It's simple and comfortable.

Occasionally, I prescribe a walking boot for plantar fasciitis patients as it can take some pressure off the heel. But that can backfire. If you're wearing the boot all the time and not doing the stretching exercises, your calf muscles may weaken. That won't help with the pain.

At 1 year follow-up, pain reduction of 62% was seen in the two groups using orthoses compared to 48% in the night splint only group. In conclusion, the study found that orthoses and anterior night splints were effective both short-term and long-term in treating pain from plantar fasciitis.

Stretching exercises before getting out of bed

Stretching or massaging the plantar fascia before standing up can often reduce heel pain. Stretch your foot by flexing it up and down 10 times before standing. Do toe stretches to stretch the plantar fascia. Use a towel to stretch the bottom of your foot (towel stretch).

With time, the pain from plantar fasciitis steadily worsens. Your heel, arch, or sole may first feel a little sore. But with time, it could develop into a chronic ache that interferes with your sleep, rest, and nearly all other daily activities. Difficulty standing and walking.