# Night splints

> A night splint is a brace worn on the ankle and foot during sleep, holding the ankle in a neutral position. It's aimed at plantar heel pain, especially pain with the first steps in the morning. Results are mixed, and it's usually tried after stretching and taping.

Guide in [Treatments](https://footanklelowerlimb.com.au/learn/topics/treatments), from Foot Ankle Lower Limb: https://footanklelowerlimb.com.au/learn/night-splints
Reviewed by Andrew Schox, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod (Podiatrist) on 27 October 2026.
Next review by 27 October 2027.

- **A night splint is a brace you wear in bed** that holds your ankle in a neutral position while you sleep.
- **It's mainly used for plantar heel pain in adults,** especially pain with the first steps of the morning.
- **Results are mixed:** some people get short-term relief, and others get little extra benefit.
- **Many people find it hard to keep wearing,** so tell your podiatrist or physiotherapist if it's uncomfortable.
- **Get the heel examined first,** and try the basics before a splint.

## What is a night splint, and how does it work?

A night splint (sometimes called a tension, posterior or dorsiflexion night splint) is a brace worn on your ankle and foot during sleep. It holds your ankle in a neutral position [1].

Think of it as a stretch you wear while you sleep. The aim is to stop your calf and your plantar fascia (the band of tissue under your foot) tightening overnight [1][2]. Because of this, it's mostly aimed at pain with your first steps in the morning [1].

## What is it used for, and how well does it work?

It's used mainly for plantar heel pain (plantar fasciitis) in adults, and the results are mixed. For people who haven't had treatment before, adding a night splint to usual care eased heel pain in the short term. It didn't significantly stop the pain coming back over two years [3].

For long-standing pain (about 2 years on average), adding a splint to a home exercise programme gave little if any extra benefit. Both groups improved [4]. Most people were helped rather than cured [4].

So expect gradual improvement rather than a quick fix. Pain with your first steps may not fully disappear, but it should ease gradually [5]. Being over 45 is linked with less improvement after 12 weeks [6]. For other problems, such as Achilles tendon pain, it isn't clear yet whether a splint helps.

## Is a night splint right for me?

It's best supported for adults with plantar fasciitis, especially when the main problem is pain with the first steps in the morning [1]. Pain that's much worse when you first start walking after sleeping or resting, and eases as you move, fits this pattern [7].

Get your heel pain examined before you use a splint. Other causes of heel pain should be ruled out first. These include nerve irritation, Achilles tendon problems, a stress fracture of the heel bone, thinning of the heel's fat pad, or a lump in the sole [8][2].

The trials were in adults [9], so children with heel pain need assessment by a health professional.

## What happens when I use a night splint?

Most people start with the basics: education, plantar fascia stretching and, where suitable, taping [10]. A night splint is usually considered when education, stretching and options such as taping, insoles or shockwave therapy haven't helped enough [8].

The splints used in studies were custom-made [11]. Ask your podiatrist or physiotherapist about fitting and how long to try one, because there's no standard schedule.

Ideally a splint is worn all night, but that's often impractical. Wearing it for 15–30 minutes at a time, several times a day, should have a similar effect [5]. Putting it on about 10 minutes before you get out of bed can help with first-step pain [5].

## What are the risks and side effects?

The main problem is comfort. Splints can be uncomfortable and disturb sleep, and many people stop wearing them [1]. Some people report sleep problems with these devices [4].

If your splint is uncomfortable, tell your podiatrist or physiotherapist rather than just stopping. They can review the fit, the wearing time or the choice of treatment. Also tell them about any new tingling or loss of feeling in your foot.

## What else can I try?

Core care comes first: taping, plantar fascia stretching and individualised education, used together. Taping and stretching both ease first-step pain in the short term [10]. If these haven't been enough after about 4–6 weeks, a podiatrist can discuss extras such as shockwave therapy or orthoses (shoe inserts) [10].

Pain fell more with foot orthoses than with a night splint alone, and people were far more likely to keep using orthoses [12]. A night splint is better seen as an add-on than a first step.

## When to see a podiatrist

These need urgent medical assessment, from your GP or a podiatrist the same day, or at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic:

- heel pain after an injury, a foot or heel that's out of shape, or suddenly being unable to put weight on it;
- severe pain that doesn't ease, a fever or feeling unwell, or unexplained weight loss;
- constant pain at night, or night pain that stops you sleeping;
- significant swelling, a change in colour or temperature, a lump, or signs of infection.

Don't delay this to try a splint [13]. For urgent advice when it isn't an emergency, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours a day), or go to a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

See your GP or a podiatrist if heel pain hasn't improved after 2 weeks of self-care, or if you have any tingling or loss of feeling in your foot [7]. Tingling or numbness that's getting worse needs referral, not a splint alone. Disabling heel pain lasting more than a year may need review for other options, including surgery [14]. If the basics haven't settled your morning heel pain, it's reasonable to ask whether a night splint suits you.

> [!see] If you have diabetes
> See your GP or a podiatrist about heel or foot pain rather than managing it yourself, and before starting a splint. Foot problems can be more serious with diabetes [7].

## Common questions

### Can plantar fasciitis come back after using a night splint?

Yes, it can. A night splint hasn't been shown to stop heel pain returning over the longer term. Pain that has gone on for longer before treatment is more likely to come back, so getting it checked and starting care earlier may help.

### How long does it take for a night splint to help?

There's no set timeline. A night splint can take some getting used to, and it needs to be worn for a while before you notice a benefit. Your pain with the first steps of the day is the thing to watch. Ask your podiatrist or physiotherapist how long to try one.

## Further reading

- [Night splints on Clindice](https://clindice.com/night-splints)
- [Plantar fasciitis](https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/leaflet/plantar-fasciitis/), NHS
- [Pain in the bottom of the foot](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/foot-pain/pain-in-the-bottom-of-the-foot/), NHS
- [Plantar Fasciitis:Information for Patients](https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/media/429366/Plantar-Fasciopathy-Patient-Information-leaflet-March-2016.pdf), NHS
- [Universal plantar fasciitis orthosis (UPFO) - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust](https://library.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/universal-plantar-fasciitis-orthosis-upfo/), NHS

## Sources

1. Evaluation and Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis · Latt LD, Jaffe DE, Tang Y et al. · Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics · 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011419896763
2. Rearfoot disorders and conservative treatment: a narrative review · Choo YJ, Park CH, Chang MC · Annals of Palliative Medicine · 2020. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-20-446
3. The effectiveness of dorsiflexion night splint added to conservative treatment for plantar fasciitis · Beyzadeoğlu T, Gökçe A, Bekler H · Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica · 2007. https://doi.org/10.3944/aott.v41i3.2560
4. The addition of a tension night splint to a structured home rehabilitation programme in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis does not lead to significant additional benefits in either pain, function or flexibility: a single-blinded randomised controlled trial · Wheeler PC · BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine · 2017. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000234
5. Plantar Fasciitis: Information for Patients · NHS. https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/media/429366/Plantar-Fasciopathy-Patient-Information-leaflet-March-2016.pdf
6. Night splint treatment for plantar fasciitis. A prospective randomized study · National Institutes of Health · 1999. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-199911000-00023
7. Plantar fasciitis · NHS · 2019. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plantar-fasciitis/
8. Plantar Fasciopathy - Pathophysiology Diagnostics and Therapy - A Clinical Guideline · Hirschmüller A, Weidermann F · Therapeutische Umschau · 2022. https://doi.org/10.1024/0040-5930/a001369
9. Plantar fasciitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial of the tension night splint · Batt ME, Tanji JL, Skattum N · Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine · 1996. https://doi.org/10.1097/00042752-199607000-00004
10. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values · Morrissey D, Cotchett M, Said J'Bari A et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2021. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101970
11. The use of night splints for treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis · Wapner KL, Sharkey PF · Foot & Ankle · 1991. https://doi.org/10.1177/107110079101200301
12. Foot orthoses for the treatment of plantar fasciitis · Roos E, Engström M, Söderberg B · Foot & Ankle International · 2006. https://doi.org/10.1177/107110070602700807
13. Foot and Heel Problems - South & West · South & West. https://southwest.devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk/referral-guidance/western-locality/musculoskeletal/foot-and-heel-problems
14. Treatment of plantar fasciopathy · Kaikkonen M, Joukainen A, Sahlman J · Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja · 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23033788/

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This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. For advice about your own feet or legs, see a podiatrist or your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.