Plantar fasciitis is very common among runners, although non-runners can also suffer from this foot disorder. When suffering from this problem, you may notice either mild or more severe pain on the foot. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is the searing pain you feel when taking your first step in the morning. Splints is one of plantar fasciitis treatment that may help reduce the caused pain.
Plantar fasciitis is resulted from excessive tensions and pressure on the ligament running across along the bottom of your foot. When this tension causes an injury to the ligament and not well-treated, the caused pain may intensify and hence, becomes more agonizing. Choosing perfect splints, however, will support the injured ligament while healing it, and thus, really crucial.
What to consider when choosing splints for plantar fasciitis
The purpose of splints is to immobilize an extremity that is injured. This is important since immobilizing an injured plantar ligament will improve healing process. Because plantar fasciitis almost always causes pain in the morning, wearing splints during the night is beneficial. The splints will provide support to your injured ligament and keep it extended while you sleep, so that the morning pain can be minimized. Although there are no researches that prove splints as a cure to plantar fasciitis, this instrument can really be handy during the healing process. When purchasing splints, you might want to make sure your splints meet the needs of your injury.
First, consider the splint type your injury requires. There are three common splint types; the medieval-looking splints, the cast-like splints, and the firm-wrap splints. The first type of splints helps pull the toes up toward the shin and provides 90-degree angle that makes it possible for your foot to be perpendicular to your leg. The second one covers the top of the foot and shin—dorsal, or covers the bottom of the foot, heel, and back of the lower leg—plantar. Dorsal splints are easier to wear and make it easier for you to walk. The last type commonly covers half the foot and hence, is the sleekest-looking among the three. However, this types does not provide enough correction for severe plantar fasciitis cases.
Furthermore, you may also need to pay attention to the height of your chosen splints. Some splints go high enough on the leg and thus, provide good stabilization or immobilization technique. On the other hand, some splints are made ankle-high to provide more comfort.
8 best night splints for plantar fasciitis
A quite vast variations of night splints for plantar fasciitis are offered online. Buying plantar fasciitis online is not only more affordable. In fact, you can also rely on people’s reviews about night splints they have bought, in order to see which one meets your conditions best.
1. StabilityAce Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
This night splints is comfortable medieval-looking night splints that will improve plantar fasciitis. The splints is equipped with latex-free foam wedges that are removable. These pads gives support to the bottom of the foot while making sure your injured ligament is extended to promote faster healing. These wedges go under the pad and are attached with Velcro to keep them in place.
The splints is available for men and women, with varied sizes up to XL. One-year warranty is provided, and an additional foot massage ball is included in the package.
As a medieval-looking splints, StabilityAce is equipped with paddled buckles, which is lightweight and thus, provides proper immobilization during sleeping, without reducing your overnight comfort. The buckles are secured using one-push straps that keep them in place to maximize your comfort. This splints are also interchangeable, making it wearable for either foot. According to customer reviews, most plantar fasciitis sufferers feel their pain subsides within days after wearing this helpful splints.
2. Futuro Night Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support
Futuro night plantar fasciitis sleep support is purposely designed to hold foot in therapeutic position during night sleep, while maintaining comfortable sleep quality for plantar fasciitis sufferers. This splints is made of comfortable and high quality material that ensures your satisfaction.
The strap is not only breathable, but also moisture-wicking, soft, and durable. These straps on calf make the splints easy to put on and take off. It is also equipped with cushion pad and soft, flexible edges for both comfort and customized fit. Futuro foot support can also be worn on either foot, with or without a sock. This brace is lightweight and thus, hardly felt during night sleep.
3. Plantar Fasciitis Socks with Arch Support
This plantar fasciitis socks may be a solution for those plantar fasciitis sufferers who prefer easy treatment for their morning pain. Compared to other types of splints, this sock is unquestionably less bulky, easy to put on and take off, and lightweight. The product is made of high-quality and anti-bacteria material to ensure wearer’s comfort and hygiene. Fabric used is breathable and quick dry.
The ankle brace sock support features compression on the bottom of the sleeve. This helps relieve plantar fasciitis pain by compressing the plantar fascia ligament. This compression does not only keep the ligament extended and thus, reduce the resulted pain, but also improves circulation and reduces inflammation, which play a significant role in plantar fasciitis healing.
Based on verified reviewers that have purchased this sock and found improvement on their plantar fasciitis after wearing the socks regularly for days, the material retains its shape and hence, no issues with elastic popping out or turning loose.
4. COMENII Plantar Fasciitis Socks
Comenii plantar fasciitis socks is another recommendation for pain associated to a suppressed plantar fascia ligament. This sock is affordable, yet has great performance. It provides an ideal foot compression for preventing and alleviating morning pain due to plantar fasciitis. The high quality material is 80% nylon and 20% spandex, which stretch adequately to hold ankle and foot at correct angle for proper healing. This sock, hence, fits, but will not not too tight for your foot.
The sock can be worn at any time except bath time and fortunately, can be worn together with your medieval-looking splints for even more healing improvement. In addition to giving support for plantar fascia ligament, this sock also improves strained or sprained ankle while keeping the bottom of foot warm during night sleep.
5. Cramer Dorsal Night Splint
If you prefer a dorsal night splint to improve plantar fasciitis pain, the Cramer dorsal night splint is a recommendation. This all-black brace has a unique small anterior dorsal clamshell design that holds foot in neutral position during the night. This is important to prevent contracture. This clamshell also helps support the arch to allow proper healing.
The manufacturer also claims that this splint is less bulky and more comfortable compared to a traditional posterior night splint, which is difficult to walk or move in. The splint is made of breathable material with minimal weight to ensure minimal heat retention during sleep.
6. Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint by Vive
This bright colored soft brace is offered for a reasonable price for a medical brace that improves foot pain, inflammation, and soreness. It is equipped with padded foam wedge that elevates foot to relieve inflammation and increase comfort. This foam wedge, however, can be easily removed for flatter fit. The pad is extra soft, providing superior comfort to injured feet. This Vive night splint also has a versatile fit that enables you to wear it on either foot.
This plantar fasciitis night splint is a perfect treatment for pain and inflammation due to a suppressed bottom-of-foot ligament. Significant improvement to the swelling and pain after wearing the splint for only 5 to 8 hours at night has been reported.
7. Treat My Feet Plantar Fasciitis Sock & Compression Foot Sleeve
This compression foot sleeve is FDA registered and thus, is high-quality guaranteed. It provides sufficient compression to plantar fascia ligament and guarantees superior and soothing comfort. The sock works by boosting adequate blood circulation on the injury site while keeping the injured ligament extended. This will minimize caused pain and reduce inflammation. For runners, this sock is also doctor recommended and can be worn inside your running shoes, in order to minimize the risk of having an injured foot ligament. This elegant medical sock is designed with interlocked stitching to ensure superior fit for faster recovery.
8. ProCare ProWedge Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
ProCare plantar fasciitis night splint is specially designed to keep the foot at a 90-degree angle to the shin in order to maintain a sustained stretch needed during healing. Compared to other night splints with various brands, this one is quite pricey. However, the quality of materials this night splint are made of is superior. It is equipped with soft pads that is comfortable even when you are sleeping. It helps to stretch your ligament during the night that the next morning you will see some improvement on the injury site. Although it may be quite bulky for some, this night splint is a good choice, as it contours posterior shell that provides passive dorsiflexion to address plantar fasciitis.