If you find yourself experiencing numbness in your toes after wearing a Plantar Fasciitis night splint, you may be wondering why this is happening. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this issue and provide potential solutions. It is important to note that you are not alone in experiencing this problem, as it is quite common among night splint users. So, continue reading to learn more about this topic.
What can cause numbness in the toes when using a night splint?
High foot arches can cause irritation
Night splint toe numbness is commonly caused by the structure of the feet, specifically the arches. Individuals with high arches are more susceptible to experiencing numbness in their toes when using a night splint. The pressure from the splint can irritate the nerves in the foot, leading to a feeling of numbness.
Wearing your night splint too tightly
If you’ve chose the heel pain, you may also be wearing your night splint too tightly which could be cutting off your circulation. This can cause a numb sensation or something that feels like ‘pins and needles’ a tingling in your foot that is quite different from Plantar Fasciitis.
One question that you need to ask yourself though is if you’ve chosen the right night splint for you.
Choosing the right night splint
There are two types of night splints, posterior (back of the foot / leg) night splints and anterior (front of the foot night splints. Both can be helpful for treating Plantar Fasciitis and which one you choose to use can be a matter of trial and error.
Many Plantar Fasciitis sufferers that we’ve spoken to find the posterior to be too restrictive and uncomfortable while they sleep while other people swear by them. The same is true for the Anterior nights splints.
At Plantar people we stock tried and tested Plantar Fasciitis night splints, that have helped thousands of people recover from their pain. So check out our night splint page HERE or click the image below for the best night splints.
Why use a night splint for Plantar Fasciitis?
If they can cause problems like numb toes, it’s understandable to question why you need use a night splint at all. The answer is that they’re actually a really important and effective tool in the battle against Plantar Fasciitis pain.
By stabilising your ankle and keeping your arch in the flexed position, they promote healing and blood flow to the damaged and inflamed area, this in turn speeds up your recovery. They also help to reduce the pain that many Plantar Fasciitis sufferers experience first thing in the morning, since the Plantar Fasciitis hasn’t been in a relaxed position over night where it has heeled and is now newly torn as you walk in the morning.
Unfortunately though, might splints always take a bit of getting used to. Even the best night splints will cause some discomfort, though numbness shouldn’t be expected. It can feel quite unnatural to have something restrictive on your foot overnight, though with a little persistence many people can overcome this and eventually get back to their usual sleep pattern.
If you find that your night splint is causing major sleep disruption though and you really can’t stick it out, it may be better to only wear your splint during the last part of the night or even not at all.
Should you wear your night splint in bed?
Yes you should wear your Plantar Fasciitis night splint in bed. This is their intended use since while we sleep our Plantar Fasciitis heals the tears and damaged caused during the day. If this healing takes place in a relaxed position though, when people take their first few steps in the morning, the Plantar Fasciitis stretches and more damage can be done.
How long can you wear a night splint?
You should try to wear a night splint throughout the whole night if you can. If you experience numbness in your feet however, you should stop wearing it and try again the next night.
Using other Plantar Fasciitis items with your night splint
It’s really important that you don’t rely on your night splint alone to make your Plantar Fasciitis better. It should be used together with other healing techniques and equipment.
One of the most valuable tools for this are compression socks. Like the night splint, they promote healing blood flow to the injured Plantar Fascia tissue and provide support to the ankle and arch of the foot to help prevent further damage. That’s why Plantar People launched this 11 piece compression sock kit that you can find HERE or by clicking the image below.
This kit includes 4 of our scientifically designed compression socks as well as silicon heel pads which can be used for immediate pain relief from Plantar Fasciitis.
If you’re looking for a more suitable night splint too, we’ve chosen the best on the market which you can find HERE too.
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Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
