Dorsal Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints
Studies have demonstrated that sleeping in night splints can significantly reduce morning foot pain. By preventing nighttime footdrop and accompanying muscle tightness, painful stretching of plantar fascia is eliminated.
1 Dorsal night splints offer footdrop protection and muscle stretching with less restriction in comparison to traditional plantar-based night splints. They promote greater comfort and safety while walking, allowing them to be worn both during the day and at night to maximize gains. They are also less bulky and cooler than plantar-based night splints.
How to choose
Most dorsal models hold the foot at 90° at rest. Lower-profile dorsal night splints, like the
FREEDOM® Dorsal PF Night Splint, reduce heat buildup to maximize comfort at night. Its wide neoprene calf and toe straps, along with gel padding on top of the foot, help reduce pressure points, while its plastic-free bottom allows easier nighttime ambulation without compromising the ability to hold the foot at 90° during rest.
The
DNS Night Splint has a plastic clamshell with an anti-slip pad on bottom and a stretch-resistant strap that holds the foot in place to help prevent passive plantarflexion.
The
Body Armor Night Splint includes a toe strap that dorsiflexes the first MTP joint, actively engaging a windlass mechanism for a sustained foot stretch. Loading the windlass mechanism naturally brings the ankle into neutral, helping to eliminate pressure on the apex of the ankle.
The
AliMed D2™ PF Night Splint is a new type of dorsal night splint: a dynamic splint. Rather than using a fixed shell that places and holds the user’s foot in a 90° position, the D2 PF Night Splint uses a pivoting dorsal shell and adjustable dynamic cord to help gently stretch the plantar fascia and calf musculature. This unique feature allows some normal plantarflexion of the foot during sleep, and returns the foot to a dorsiflexed position when the muscles relax. This freedom of movement is the key to comfort and compliance!
- Powell M., Post W.R., Keener J., and Wearden S., "Effective Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis with Dorsiflexion Night Splints: A Crossover Prospective