title: The use of night splints for treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.
abstract: This study reports the results of the use of molded ankle foot orthosis night splints for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis on 14 patients with a total of 18 symptomatic feet. All patients had symptoms for greater than 1 year and had previously undergone treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections, shoe modifications, and physical therapy without resolution. All patients were provided with custom-molded polypropylene ankle foot orthoses in 5 degrees of dorsiflexion to be used as a night splint. With continued use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, Tuli heel cups, Spenco liners, and general stretching exercises, successful resolution occurred in 11 patients in less than 4 months. There were three failures. It is felt that the use of night splints provides a useful, cost-effective adjunct to current therapeutic regimens of plantar fasciitis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wapner
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Sharkey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013165:Splints; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome