Question on night splints for Plantar Fasciitis.

[maslex]

If you haven't read any of my other posts about having Plantar Fasciitis, I've had it since August and I'm about sick & tired of having it. I finally went to a local medical supply store to purchase a night splint. First off, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE!!!! They wanted $180 FOR A SPLINT!!! Anyhow, I don't have the kind of $$$ to be spending right now. So I decided to check out ebay and found the same one (slightly used) for just under $20 (including shipping).

Here's my question. For those of you who have used the night splint. Does it just keep your foot/leg at a 90* angle or does it pull your toes/ball of your foot up towards your shin? And how effective have you found it to be using the splint? Do you only use it at night or do you also use it during the day if you're not at work or running errands?

 

[HM]

I'm sorry you're having such a bad time. I've never used a splint, and I've had PF several times over the course of the last few years in one foot or another. I'm one year without now (knock on wood). I did stretches on my own , used orthotics, accupuncture, chiropractor, better supporting shoes, and things like ice packs with various amounts of help. Time was the biggest factor, but it looks like you've given a lot of time already.

Are you sure it's just PF and not a bone spur or such? Have you been looked at by an orthopedist?

Good luck!

 

[PinballFamily]

Only used it at night. It pulls your toes up (adjust with velcro straps) and you really cannot walk in it if it is put on correctly. I'll have to think about where I bought mine - it was online and I think it was about $35. DH and I each have one - still wear it occasionally, for flare-ups, even though our PF is pretty much gone.

ETA: www.footsmart.com The ones we have are $39.99 now - but seem to be on special for $34.99. Good luck!

 

[maslex]

I'm sorry you're having such a bad time. I've never used a splint, and I've had PF several times over the course of the last few years in one foot or another. I'm one year without now (knock on wood). I did stretches on my own , used orthotics, accupuncture, chiropractor, better supporting shoes, and things like ice packs with various amounts of help. Time was the biggest factor, but it looks like you've given a lot of time already.

Are you sure it's just PF and not a bone spur or such? Have you been looked at by an orthopedist?

Good luck!

I went to see a podiatrist and he took a few x-rays of my foot. That's when he told me I had PF and also said that I had a couple bone spurs. I saw one on the bottom of my foot and on the back of my ankle.

I think I'm going to try the night splint for a while and see how that works out. If it doesn't get any better soon, though I'm going back to see him and see if there's anything else that could be wrong.

Thing is, I've been having a really bad time with it for the past month or two and the day that I purchase the night splint, it seems to be doing ok right now. That figures. LOL But once it comes in the mail, I'm still going to try it out and see what comes out of it.

 

[HM]

What did the podiatrist suggest? Just the night splint? Did he want to do a custom orthotic too?

 

[Deb in IA]

If you get a prescription for the night splint, insurance may cover it.

 

[minniecarousel]

I used a bunch of things for my PF. I'm sure the night splint really helped. My insurance paid for it. I still use it when I have a flare up. My x-rays showed the bone spurs too. (I believe that the spurs are present with most cases of PF.)

I was always hesitant to stop using it, even when it seemed better. (I wore a hole in one of the fitted sheets from wearing it!)

Are you doing any stretches? Never going barefoot? Icing it? I found that the combination of things probably did the trick.

 

[luvdzny]

I bought mine at Walgreens it was around $30.00. I only wore it at night and it helped.

 

[Beezle2]

I had terrible PF for a long time and the only thing that helped in the long run was the night splint. I wore it every night for a year and now I have been pain free for months. I quit wearing it but keep it around just in case of a flare up.

I hope you feel better soon, thats a terrible pain to have!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you are going to use a night splint, you'll probably want to get the covers off your feet (not a bad idea anyway; they pull your foot down flat as a normal thing.) You can test this by putting a large cardboard box with some reinforcement in the sides and a towel folded on the inside bottom into your bed, under the covers. Sleep with your feet inside the box. If that helps, then you may want to invest in a blanket riser (or make one: PVC pipes work well for the purpose.)

A night splint normally won't work on its own; you'll need to do a program of hamstring stretches as well.

 

[Angelhalo]

Good luck OP. I seem to be the one mysterious person on Earth who can't get her PF to "go away". I've had it for almost 3 years now. I've done the stretches, ice, medically prescribed shoes, prescribed orthotics, NEVER barefoot, night splint, prescribed anti-inflamatories, otc anti-inflamatories, acupuncture...you name it, I've tried it and NOTHING and I mean NOTHING has made it go away. My foot hurts marginally less when I am wearing the shoes and orthotics but that is the best I have been able to get. The only things I haven't tried are the cortizone shot and surgery I wish I were one of the lucky ones who does everything right and has it heal and go away

 

[maslex]

What did the podiatrist suggest? Just the night splint? Did he want to do a custom orthotic too?

He gave me a list of stretches to do. Recommended that I got a pair of New Balance sneakers with a certain insert (which I got both, seems to help a bit). He did suggest the night splint but I didn't get it because it wasn't covered under my insurance. Then explained to me that down the line cortisone shots and surgery were always an option. (NOT something that I'm interested in)

If you get a prescription for the night splint, insurance may cover it.

While I was at the appt, the doctor's assistant called my insurance company and found out that they didn't cover it.

If you are going to use a night splint, you'll probably want to get the covers off your feet (not a bad idea anyway; they pull your foot down flat as a normal thing.) You can test this by putting a large cardboard box with some reinforcement in the sides and a towel folded on the inside bottom into your bed, under the covers. Sleep with your feet inside the box. If that helps, then you may want to invest in a blanket riser (or make one: PVC pipes work well for the purpose.)

A night splint normally won't work on its own; you'll need to do a program of hamstring stretches as well.

Didn't really understand what you were trying to say. But to make it simple, I actually don't sleep in bed. I sleep in my recliner. (Previous back injury had me sleeping in my chair and since my back has healed, I prefer sleeping there instead of my bed. It's more comfortable for me, I don't have to hear hubby snoring and I get better sleep) So I really don't see a problem sleeping with it.

Here's another question though. I keep hearing NOT to go barefoot. And I try not to, really I do. What do you do though, in the middle of the night for a bathroom break (I usually have one or two)? Sit there and put your sneakers on just to walk ten feet to the bathroom? What about when you have your night splint on? What about getting out of the shower, walking to your bedroom to get dressed? After getting out of the shower in the morning, I put my sneakers on and don't take them off until I sit on my recliner for the night. What do you wear for "around the house".

 

[PinballFamily]

Here's another question though. I keep hearing NOT to go barefoot. And I try not to, really I do. What do you do though, in the middle of the night for a bathroom break (I usually have one or two)? Sit there and put your sneakers on just to walk ten feet to the bathroom? What about when you have your night splint on? What about getting out of the shower, walking to your bedroom to get dressed? After getting out of the shower in the morning, I put my sneakers on and don't take them off until I sit on my recliner for the night. What do you wear for "around the house".

My PF was VERY bad. But, it finally went away after about a year. My doc said to get New Balance sneakers with the highest model number available (higher number = more support) and as the last thing I do each night take them off and the first thing I do each morning is put them on. Basically, I have lived in them for the past few years! I also had about 10 ultrasound treatments - covered by insurance - that I didn't think would be particularly useful, but I did feel improvement by the end. ( I was also prescribed exercises, but honestly didn't do them...) I did ice in Dixie cups to roll my foot over and did that a few times. To be honest, if I had to get up in the middle of the night (rare) when wearing the night splint, I just sorta hopped the short distance. You really cannot walk in it and I was just too lazy to take it on and off. I think I received the most benefit - which continues - from the NB shoes and wearing them any and ALL times I am vertical!

 

[ENSOCK]

Going thru this right now. I have the night splint on as I am sitting in my recliner watching TV. I have tried to sleep in it but I just can not get comfortalbe.
I had the shot a little over a week ago. Yes it hurt but it helped!! I also purchased the New Balance tennis shoes. Sadly, I work at a job where I am on my feet most of the day so it is taking longer for me to feel better. Good Luck!

 

[MaggieBailey]

I was diagnosed with PF about 3 months ago... I started exercising seriously the first of the year, and that is what started it.... (I don't have insurance; but luckily found a great podiatrist who is willing to work with me on payments, yay ) I had my first cortisone shot 5 weeks ago, and took Nalfon for about 2 weeks... It was starting to slightly improve, but then started in the other foot... It was so bad when it started, I couldn't even get to the bathroom in the mornings horrible pain! I went and got new shoes at a specialty store, and it felt better when wearing them, but then taking them off at the end of the night was awful. So, I bought a pair of Orthaheel sandals from Amazon, that I wear even when I get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. I am on my feet all day for work... So when I get home, I pull a frozen water bottle from the freezer to roll my feet on - then do stretches. Was back at the doctor yesterday for a 2nd shot got a prescription for Prednisone. Dr said that night splints might help, a prescription would be expensive but they can be found at most Walgreens! - Found lots of good info the Spark People message boards about PF! The goal was to run the Princess Half in February, so we'll see... Probably not, but fingers are crossed! Good luck to you, I know it hurts!

 

[bookgirl]

If you haven't read any of my other posts about having Plantar Fasciitis, I've had it since August and I'm about sick & tired of having it. I finally went to a local medical supply store to purchase a night splint. First off, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE!!!! They wanted $180 FOR A SPLINT!!! Anyhow, I don't have the kind of $$$ to be spending right now. So I decided to check out ebay and found the same one (slightly used) for just under $20 (including shipping).

Here's my question. For those of you who have used the night splint. Does it just keep your foot/leg at a 90* angle or does it pull your toes/ball of your foot up towards your shin? And how effective have you found it to be using the splint? Do you only use it at night or do you also use it during the day if you're not at work or running errands?

I have a night splint, it is hard to get used too, but it helps a lot. It keeps you in a 90 degree and it makes mornings much easier (don't have PF but Achilles Tendonitis which causes the same problems)

I only wore it at night or in the evenings while I was watching tv. Basically if I was going to be sitting for prolonged times.

They sell a thing called a Strausberg sock which does pull the toes back towards the leg, but I did not get one. I went to Walgreens/CVS and they both sold a smaller compact version of a night split in the $25 dollar range and I used it a couple of times while traveling as my night splint is the size of a walking boot. It was actually a little more comfortable for me to sleep in.

I did pain relievers during the worst of it, wear mostly NB tennis shoes or Crocs (both the RX and the FlipFlops with the cushioned heel), and I stretch it out a lot, I was in a walking boot for about 5 months as well. I also had a low invasive surgery on my right foot called Radio Frequency Ablation. No cast, no physical therapy required, and was walking within 5 days. (I had a bone spur that was wrapped into the AT, so it needed to be relieved to help with the PF symptoms).

Now I only have occasional flare ups but am getting worse on the left foot now. I still sometimes pull out my splint when it's bad. It is a pain to deal with but it helps so much.


As a aside. I went through two fitted sheets while I was using the night splint. I move my legs in my sleep and rubbed the sheet thin at the foot.

 

[valleygirl1992]

I had terrible PF for a long time and the only thing that helped in the long run was the night splint. I wore it every night for a year and now I have been pain free for months. I quit wearing it but keep it around just in case of a flare up.

I've been struggling with plantar fasciitis for a few months now. I found this article that also recommends using night splints to reduce the pain. I wonder if wearing those bulky things is comfortable, especially at night? Please share your experience.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

WOW.. I got mine on Amazon for $25.00

The are uncomfortable and you may only be able to wear it for an hour or two in bed. But remember if its only a few hours you are at least getting a few hours of a stretch in. Also if you are sitting watching tv wear it then. Pop in a movie and sit for a few hours with it on. I work from home one to two days a week and I wear mine when I am sitting at the computer.


For tendonist I bought a ultrasound machine online for $100 and wow it made a huge difference. I decided to get one after going to PT and they did it on me and I could walk down stairs without issues. So I decided to get my own machine rather than pay $106 for PT person to do it.

 

[mulanshaircut]

My husband had a severe case of PF and ended up going to see an orthopedist. The podiatrist was no help to him. He ended up in a walking cast for 12 weeks that he wore all day. Then he wore a night splint to sleep in. Both helped but he had the most improvement when the Dr prescribed physical therapy. He did about 12 sessions of that and has had no problems in about 2 years.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I agree. I switched foot dr. and the 2nd one put me in a walking boot for 12 weeks and it cured my tendonist right up. I use to be in such pain I could not walk. But between the boot and the ultrasound I am all better.