The Best Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint

Buying Guide

It usually starts as a sharp pain in your heel, becoming more pervasive over time. Soon, you’ll find that when you wake up in the morning, you can’t take that first step without excruciating pain shooting from your heel to your toe.

If you have plantar fasciitis, there’s no mistaking the symptoms. But just to be sure, you’ll need to have your doctor run some tests to make sure it’s nothing more serious. Bone fractures and arthritis can have similar symptoms to plantar fasciitis. Once the diagnosis is official, your doctor will likely recommend icing the area, and you might even be referred to a physical therapist who can help strengthen your leg muscles.

But one of the most useful treatments for plantar fasciitis is a night splint. Worn while you’re sleeping, these splints stretch your muscles in a way that’s similar to what you’d get in physical therapy. During this time, your calf and foot are gently stretched to ease pressure and gradually help stabilize your heel and ankle.

In addition to night splints, you should also make sure you rest the affected foot as much as possible. If exercise is causing or aggravating your plantar fasciitis, your physician may recommend taking some time off. If your work requires you to spend all day on your feet, you might have to take a little leave or at least take breaks throughout the day and get off your feet.

Whatever treatment your doctor recommends, you’ll need plenty of patience. It can take as long as 10 months to start seeing signs of improvement, and it’s important to stick with it to avoid losing whatever progress you’ve made. Finding comfortable and effective night splint will make it easier to endure the treatment for the long haul, so it’s important to choose the right one from the start.

• The best night splint for plantar fasciitis is one that holds the foot in a 90-degree position for hours at a time. This stretches the fascia to help reduce the pain you feel when you put pressure on it after a long rest. Holding your foot in this position can also help stretch the leg muscles, a treatment that is thought to improve plantar fasciitis.
• There are two primary types of night splints used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. One is the dorsal type, which is a smaller splint that focuses the support on the top of the foot and the shin, holding the foot at 90 degrees while keeping the heel and arch free. The other is a boot splint, which is larger and concentrates support on the back of your leg and calf, as well as the underside of the foot. Some find the dorsal brace more comfortable because it’s less restrictive, but others don’t like the sweating that comes with the larger straps of the dorsal brace.
• Putting the night splint on and taking it off can be tougher with some models than others. Look at the buckles and straps and find a splint that won’t be so difficult that you’ll start to dread wearing it over time.
• If you’re wearing your splint night after night, eventually you’ll need to clean it. Some come with removable pads or coverings that you can simply toss in the washing machine.
• Since everyone’s foot and leg size is different, it can be tough to find the right fit. Many splints have straps or other ways of adjusting the fit to help you customize it to what you need.
• Some splints can trap moisture and heat. Look for one with ventilation or a build that encourages airflow to keep your feet as cool and dry as possible.