Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "Doable" Option For Night Splints, November 29, 2008
This review is from: Futuro Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support (Misc.)
As the name implies, these are splints you wear at night. Most of them look like big boots, which is why I like the Futuro Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support brand- it's just less bulky to wear at night than most.
Now the idea behind these splints is to try and keep the foot and ankle structures stretched out all night in order to promote healing and avoid morning pain and stiffness that is so common in plantar fasciitis. Only a few randomized controlled trials have actually tested out this interesting idea. For instance:
-volunteers in one study were randomized to get either custom foot inserts, anterior night splints, or custom foot inserts and anterior night splints (Roos 2006). At 12 weeks, all groups improved significantly with no significant differences found in pain among the three groups at any point in time.
-in another study, patients wore either custom shoe inserts, over-the-counter arch supports, or night splints (Martin 2001). At 12 week follow-up, all groups improved with no significant differences between them.
-night splints were compared to no night splint use in this randomized controlled trial (Powell 1998). After one month, the group that wore the night splints showed greater improvement compared to the control group.
As you can see, these night splints ARE effective in treating plantar fasciitis-but note that they seem to be just as effective as over-the-counter or custom foot inserts too. Therefore, since night splints can be a pain to sleep with for a lot of people, I recommend you try them as a last resort after you've tried more conservative things such as foot inserts. Plantar fasciitis sufferers wanting more info on plantar fasciitis might also want to check out The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Helps, but not a cure, February 11, 2010
This review is from: Futuro Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support (Misc.)
This summer my plantar fasciitis flared up worse than it ever has. After a day on my feet, I was limping and almost in tears from the pain. My sister had a similar problem a few years ago and found a night splint brought her relief when nothing else did. Not wanting to invest $50.00 or more in a night splint when I wasn't sure it would help me, I opted to buy the less expensive Futuro Sleep Support.
Initially, the support made a big difference in my pain level. That first step out of bed in the morning was not as excruciating as it had been and my pain was less during the day. Unfortunately, the improvement only lasted a few days, and then the support did not seem to make a difference and I stopped wearing it consistently after a couple of weeks.
So I consulted a physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of foot/gait problems. He thought the sleep support would be somewhat helpful, though not as much as an actual sleep split, and recommended I resume wearing it. After six weeks of treatment, including stretching and strengthening exercises, my feet were much improved. I continue the regimen of exercises and wear the sleep support most nights. I have resumed my exercise walking and still am mostly pain-free.
If you have minor plantar fasciitis, the Futuro sleep support alone might help. However, if your pain level is severe, as mine was, I do not think this support alone would bring relief from pain, but as part of a more involved treatment plan it might have some benefit.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
didn't work for me!, August 14, 2009
This review is from: Futuro Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support (Misc.)
While I like the idea for this splint, it didn't work for my fairly small foot and larger calf. It just didn't fit properly and made my foot go numb almost immediately!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|