Plantar fasciitis night splint

Plantar fasciitis

When one experiences the heel pain, it is usually due to the condition called plantar fasciitis, which is the medical term for the inflammation of plantar fascia, which is the band of the tissue that attaches the heel bone to the toes. This pain the person typically experiences when he/she makes the first steps early in the morning and it tends to decrease when the feet are at rest and not used, but this pain usually returns when one stands for a long time or when one gets up after seating.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that typically occurs in the runners and in many people who are practicing some sports where the feet and the heels are very much used. Furthermore, the overweight and obese people, as well as pregnant women, are most prone to develop plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is marked by pain in the heels, which develops slowly and usually just in one foot, but there are also cases when it may occur in both feet at the same time. This pain is of great intensity, especially early in the morning when one gets up and makes the first paces.

Night splints for plantar fasciitis

Fortunately, the pain which is characteristic for plantar fasciitis can be cured and it is estimated that in even 90% of the cases, the pain disappeared within a couple of months but with a proper treatment. This condition can be treated by several methods and one of them is the treatment with night splints.

As the name suggests it, the night splints are worn during the night when the person suffering from the plantar fasciitis is sleeping, and they work by holding the affected foot in the dorsiflexion position, which does not allow the plantar fascia tightening. The night splint gently stretches the plantar fascia, which returns to the normal length after some period of time. This stretching is slightly increased and decreased so that the affected foot is easily adjusted to it and the discomfort of wearing it during the night is reduced to the minimum.

In the mild cases, the night splints may cure the pain caused by the plantar fasciitis within two or three days, but in some severe cases it may take more time. The night splints for plantar fasciitis may also be used for the treatment of Achilles tendinitis, but before using this device it is advisable to consult a doctor first.