The 5 Best Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints [Boot & Dorsal] - defeetit.com (2024)

There are several possible practices you can adapt to help manage and treat plantar fasciitis. An extremely effective method is the use of a plantar fasciitis night splint. These orthotic devices were designed to help you recover while you sleep, making it an ideal essential if you’re struggling with the symptoms of PF.

Want to know more about the best plantar fasciitis night splints, what makes them worth buying, and how they can help you with your PF? Find out with this complete guide and review.

The Benefits of Wearing a Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint

The methods for addressing plantar fasciitis are vast and varied. So why should a plantar fasciitis night splint be a top choice? Moreover, do night splints for plantar fasciitis work? These major benefits should tell you why a PF night splint is a good deal.

Effortless​

Some possible treatments for plantar fasciitis include using specific footwear designs, applying different modalities such as hot and cold compresses, and for more extreme cases, injecting medication through the skin to help reduce inflammation. Ask anyone, and it would seem that managing plantar fasciitis is tedious and time consuming. But with a night splint, relief can be just a few effortless steps away.

Using a night splint requires nothing more than wearing the device before bed, and removing it after a certain period of time. It doesn’t need any active use and it works while you sleep.

Manageable Morning Pain​

For most of those of who suffer from PF, the first few steps of each new day are the hardest. This is a result of the foot not being in proper positioning as you slept through the night, leaving the ligament feeling sore upon those first few movements. By wearing a PF night splint, you can keep the ligament stretched, thus reducing the pain you feel first thing in the morning.

Better Sleep​

In more advanced cases, plantar fasciitis can be painful even during sleep. This is because the inflammation causes pain to radiate towards the calves, making it difficult for people with PF to get a good night’s rest. With a plantar fasciitis night splint, discomfort is significantly reduced, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep for a more restful night.

The Different Types of PF Night Splints

Let's now take a look at the different kinds of night splints for plantar fasciitis and how they are used.

Dorsal Night Splint

The dorsal night splint is worn over the dorsum of the foot, and works to apply a gentle push on the surface to point the toes downwards. Commonly, these types of splints are fashioned out of a stiff polypropylene shell which is secured to the foot by way of nylon/spandex and Velcro straps.

Dorsal night splints are best for moderate, severe, and chronic cases of plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Night Boot​

Typically called a ‘boot’, this type of plantar fasciitis night splint is designed to dorsi-flex the ankle. So from the standard 90 degree anatomical position, the ankle is flexed slightly so that the toes point upwards. The design uses a plastic outer layer that runs along calf and the sole of the foot.

While it’s typically larger and bulkier than the dorsal night splint, the plantar night boot is the first design of choice for mild to moderate cases.

During your search for a suitable PF splint, you might find a sock-like design that’s less bulky than the previously mentioned designs, and much more lightweight. While the silhouette might seem more comfortable and breathable, such choices are designed to be used as a plantar fasciitis day splint. That is, it won’t give you the pull you need in order to prevent morning PF pain.

What to Look for in Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints

Not all night splints are made the same. That’s because people tend to have different preferences when it comes to their splint of choice. Make sure to consider these factors when you make your purchase so you land a good pick on your first try.

Breathability​

One of the most common reasons people mention when they explain why they stopped using their night splint is breathability. Because these devices aim to secure your foot in a static position, they’re often made from very stiff, solid materials that don’t permit a lot of air flow.

When making a purchase, be sure to consider the surface area covered by the splint. The less skin the orthosis makes contact with, the less likely your limb will sweat through the night.

​Adjustment Range

Splints – especially plantar designs – can allow some adjustment in order to better meet your needs. By calibrating some of the straps that attach to the device, you can achieve a greater or lesser degree of flexion. This is ideal especially if you find that you experience more relief when you can flex your limb more or less than a static splint will allow.

​Comfort

When you first slip on a night splint, you might think that they’re not the most comfortable contraptions out there. And that’s actually true. But while they’re all generally unpleasant to start with, there are some night splints that are much less so than others.

When you fit your night splint, make sure there aren’t any stiff parts that dig into your skin or bony prominences. Rough or sharp edges that press against your limb can also cause blisters and discomfort through the night. If you really want to maximize comfort, consider choosing a splint that’s slightly larger than your size. This will allow you to wear a sock before slipping the splint on to protect your skin.

The 5 Best Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints Reviewed

There are many great one's out there, but we've narrowed it down to our top 5. Here they are and what makes them great:

1. StrictlyStability PF Posterior Night Splint

The Posterior Night Splint from StrictlyStability is among the top rated choices available. This plantar night boot features a soft cushioned surface that makes it exceptionally comfortable against the skin.

The package comes bundled with 2 stretch wedges in different sizes. These simple accessories can be lodged between the cushion and the shell in order to increase the degree of dorsiflexion. Aside from this, the angle can also be adjusted by way of two tension straps on either side of the device.

Finally, the PF Posterior Night Splint from StrictlyStability also comes with a massage ball that helps loosen up and relax the plantar fascia for decreased pain.

​2. Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint by Vive

The Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint by Vive is yet another premium design that’s been highly rated by lots of users. The entire splint is covered in a smooth, soft fabric that conceals plush padding for a comfortable feel.

Much like the previous, this splint comes with 2 wedges in different heights to give you a personalized fit that meets your needs and preferences. The splint also comes bundled with a massage ball that helps with stretching the plantar fascia.

The only reason why this choice didn’t quite make it to the top of the list is the fact that its fabric lining causes quite a lot of sweating, especially if you’re not wearing socks.

3. Alpha Medical Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint

If you’re looking for something lightweight and breathable, the Alpha Medical Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint is the perfect pick. This design uses a low-profile silhouette that minimizes contact with the surface area of your skin. This leaves much more of your leg exposed so as to prevent and manage sweating.

The lightweight, durable design is straightforward, simple, and easy to use. It doesn’t come with a lot of fancy bells and whistles, and simply gets the job done. So if you were in search of an uncomplicated solution, the Alpha Medical Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint might be worth checking out.

4. MARS PF Posterior Night Splint

Durable and hard wearing, the MARS Posterior Night Splint makes a suitable investment for those who know they’re going to be using a night splint for a while. The design is easily adjustable, allowing quick and effortless calibration to meet your specific needs.

The Velcro straps and padding on the splint are highly reinforced, giving them exceptional resistance against wear and tear. But because this also takes somewhat of a toll on comfort, so be sure to buy a pair of thick cotton socks before you slip on this splint.

5. Cramer Dorsal Night Splint

The Cramer Dorsal Night Splint is the only dorsal splint on our list. While most buyers prefer posterior splints, this dorsal splint definitely has a lot to offer if you’re looking for versatility and comfort.

The shell on the Cramer splint extends well over the sides of the feet. This gives greater stability than most other dorsal splints, locking your foot down to effectively cancel out movement. Underneath the device, traction pads help give you some stability if you should step while the splint is on. Lastly, the Cramer Dorsal Night Splint is exceptionally lightweight, making it easy to don, doff, and comfortable to use.

How to Wear Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints

Wondering how to wear night splint for plantar fasciitis? Follow these simple steps.

Dorsal Night Splint

1. Place your foot flat against the floor, creating a 90 degree angle with your shin. Position the dorsal night splint in front of your foot so that you can slide your foot into the foot strap.

2. Pull the splint towards your foot until the plastic shell makes complete contact with the top of your foot and your shin.

3. Secure the first strap around your calf and make sure the opening is aligned with your ankle.

4. Fasten the foot strap so that your midfoot is locked down with minimal margin for movement.

5. The dorsal night splint should feel snug yet comfortable. Avoid fastening the straps too tight that they threaten to burst with movement.

Plantar Night Splint

1. Start of by long-sitting on your bed. Make sure your knees are straight and your foot is in the neutral position. For the first few tries, you might want to ask for assistance.

2. Slip the splint on until the entire calf and sole of the foot makes contact with the hard shell.

3. Secure the calf strap, the ankle strap, and the foot strap so that the splint is snug yet comfortable.

4. To adjust ankle flexion, push the toes towards the leg, release the tension strap on one side, and then re-fasten to the desired degree of flexion. Do the same with the other side.

Conclusion

If you were hoping to get relief by wearing a plantar fasciitis splint, the day time might not be the smartest time to use it. Night time PF splints have been proven effective by countless studies. So if you’re looking for a suitable treatment for a painful case of plantar fasciitis, then a night splint would be a smart pick.

Based on our research, the StrictlyStability Posterior Splintproves to be the best choice. This comfortable, durable design makes a worthy investment if you’re in search of a purchase that will give you the best value for your money.