Night Splints for Plantar Fasciitis

A lot of people take foot pain for granted. They assume that the pain resounding from the heel of their foot is just another symptom of overworked and fatigued feet that was subjected to too much activity. What the majority of people don’t know is that feet problems may present long-term problems in the future. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions in the world. It’s a good thing that a plantar fasciitis night splint can be worn to prevent the progression of the disease.

Plantar fasciitis, is a condition that has been called a heel spur, albeit they aren’t the same. A heel spur was defined as a bony growth that presents itself on the attachment of the plantar fascia to the calcaneus while plantar fasciitis was believed to be the degeneration of the collagen fibers on the heel bone. Although initially thought of as an inflammatory disease, the plantar fasciitis inflammation theory was thrown in a waste bin because of the absence of inflammatory cells inside the fascia.

It is undeniable that plantar fasciitis can cause a throbbing pain in the foot most especially in the morning. In fact, all individuals having this condition will always feel the pain as they try to get up from their bed.

Causes

Despite the wide array of pinpointed causes, one of the most common is extremely tight calf muscles. This, in turn, causes prolonged pronation of the foot, which causes recurring overstretching of the plantar fascia. This leads to the thickening of the tendons thereby making the fascia lose its flexibility and strength. Another typical cause of plantar fasciitis is high-arched or low-arched foot and oversupination.

This condition is most common among overweight individuals, pregnant women, people who run or walk wearing footwear without adequate support to their feet.

Diagnosis and Symptoms

Plantar fasciitis are typically characterized by pain found under the heels and inside the attachment of the fascia. Pain can also be felt along the arch and is usually worst in the morning due to tightening of the plantar fascia in the night. The pain gradually diminishes as the day goes by. In some cases, pain on the outside border of the foot’s heel can be present due to the impact of landing on the outside of the heel for people with high-arched feet.

The pain caused by plantar fasciitis may disappear for a while. Nonetheless, it may reappear  as you begin to walk or run on a long distance or even stand for a long period of time. The main part being affected with this condition is the plantar fascia, a connective tissue located underneath the foot, extending from the heel and all the way to the toes.

How Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints Can Help

Aside from the treatment, you will also need night splints for plantar fasciitis. By using night splints, you get to have a brace connecting to your foot, your ankle and also to your lower leg. Wearing this is very important most especially as you go to bed.

The function of night splints is to stretch the plantar fascia ligament even when you are sleeping. What makes this very essential to be worn at bedtime is because normally, individuals flex their feet while sleeping, hence, shortening the length of the plantar fascia and preventing it from contracting. By using night splints, the ligament is maintained in its proper position for the rest of the night so that you do not experience pains in the morning.

But what is present in night splints that make them efficient? Typically, these items are constructed either by molded plaster casting, fiberglass or prefabricated plastic brace. Studies have shown that night splints for plantar fasciitis provided an astounding improvement to those suffering from the disease. In fact, the chances of improvement and full recovery can reach to as much as 80%.

Other Treatments and Tips on Reducing Pain

There are also other forms of treatments for plantar fasciitis. Physicians recommend people with plantar fasciitis to rest their feet as much as possible to prevent aggravating the injury. Placing ice or a cold compress on the heels can also prevent pain by causing vasoconstriction, which keeps the muscles contracted and keeps the plantar fascia flexed. It is also a good idea to keep the feet flexed and prevent them from contraction, since a contracted fascia causes pain.

Other recommendations include orthotics, stretching exercises, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, orthotic shoe inserts as well as the night splints are the most common methods used by the majority of people in treating plantar fasciitis.

The main causes of plantar fasciitis are stress and strain. This means that it’s the footwear that usually triggers the condition. Knowing that, it is strongly suggested to refrain from wearing shoes that have little or no support at all. Make sure that whatever footwear you are wearing can endow adequate support especially at the bottom of your foot and on the arch. Wear slippers, sandals or shoes that are flexible, comfortable and gives enough support to your feet. Plantar fasciitis usually develops when a person uses footwear with little support and applying long periods of stress to the lower extremities.

When you get home or when removing your footwear, it is also recommended to perform some stretching exercises most especially to the Achilles tendon area. Furthermore, you can actually execute simple exercises before implementing your first step in the morning. By using a towel or a belt, place them beneath your toes and slowly pull your forefoot for at least twenty seconds to stretch the tissue.

By using night splints for plantar fasciitis, you can already acquire a big form of treatment should you be suffering from this condition. Finally, it is still best to combine it with other treatment methods to hasten the healing process and relieve the inflammation and pain you are experiencing.

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