Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
October 28, 2019
Many Frisco residents who experience plantar fasciitis are ready, willing, and able to try any treatment option that local podiatrist, Dr. Verville of RNV Podiatry, prescribes. After all, not only is the condition uncomfortable – especially when you first step out of bed in the morning – if you’re an athlete, it can also take you away from your favorite sports activities. Nobody wants to be sidelined, so they’re usually all ears for any treatment option to heal the plantar fascia ligament.
Sometimes, Dr. Verville’s plantar fasciitis patients are surprised to learn that one of the best ways to heal their condition is to wear night splints while they sleep. You see, most of us sleep in a way that doesn’t promote quick healing of the plantar fascia ligament. We sleep with our feet pointed down. Sleeping in this position both shortens the plantar fascia as well as the Achilles tendon.
Night splints are recommended by podiatrists like Dr. Verville because they change the position of your feet while you sleep. They put your feet in active mode so that you get a nice stretch all night long while you’re dreaming. This long stretch, which you’re not even aware of because you’re asleep, helps to heal the plantar fascia ligament even faster than if you were just to perform the prescribed exercises Dr. Verville gives you to do during waking hours.
If Night Splints Help, Then Why Do Some Patients Refuse to Wear Them?
While night splints are proven to heal plantar fasciitis faster, Dr. Verville is aware that some of her Frisco patients don’t like wearing them, to the point that they refuse to wear them at all. Sometimes, the patient’s complaint is that the splints are simply bulky and awkward and make the bottom of their legs feel heavy. This complaint is more common among patients who report they frequently change sleeping positions or toss and turn throughout the night. Others just feel that wearing night splints is weird.
Dr. Verville’s advice to her Frisco patients is to commit to wearing the night splints one full night. Oftentimes, patients who are initially averse to this treatment end up loving their night splints because after wearing them the first night, they wake up and get out of bed only to experience less discomfort than they’re used to. These patients see the real results and typically continue to wear their night splints every night that Dr. Verville has prescribed.
In the rare cases where the night splints are causing a patient to lose sleep because they feel they can’t rest and relax with them on due to their bulkiness, Dr. Verville recommends they at least wear the splints when they’re awake and in a seated position, such as when you’re binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix.
Getting Help With Plantar Fasciitis
If you’re a Frisco resident who suspects you’ve injured your plantar fascia ligament, don’t try home remedies or just grin and bear it. You need a proper evaluation and diagnosis from a trusted podiatrist like RNV Podiatry’s Dr. Verville.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Verville today, call (214) 385-8822.
