Night Splints for Achilles Tendonitis - A Waste of Money. Do this Instead
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- Äas pĹidĂĄn 7. 06. 2024
- In this video, Alison explains why people sometimes prescribe night splints for Achilles tendonitis, what the evidence and research shows about using night splints for Achilles tendonitis, why we don't use them, and what you can do instead to help your tendon feel more comfortable.
đNeed more help with your injury? Youâre welcome to consult one of the team at TMA online via video call for an assessment of your Achilles injury and a tailored treatment plan: www.treatmyachilles.com
đChapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:36 Why do people recommend night splints?
00:02:03 What happens inside an injured tendon while you sleep?
00:05:02 Why we donât prescribe night splints
00:06:43 What to do instead of wasting money on a night splint
đOther useful videos:
Sore Or Stiff Achilles Tendon In The Morning? It's NOT Tearing. Here Are The Causes & Treatment - ⢠Sore Or Stiff Achilles...
How to Know whether you Have Achilles Tendinopathy - Diagnosis - ⢠How to Know whether yo...
Achilles Tendon Tears - Diagnosis and Treatment of Complete Ruptures - ⢠Achilles Tendon Tears ...
Partial Achilles Tear/Rupture Symptoms - ⢠Partial Achilles Tear/...
How to Use Pain Levels to Manage your Achilles Rehab - ⢠How to Use Pain Levels...
Playlist: Exercise for Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy - ⢠Exercises for Achilles...
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References:
Van Der Vlist, A. C., et al. (2021). "Which treatment is most effective for patients with Achilles tendinopathy? A living systematic review with network meta-analysis of 29 randomised controlled trials." British Journal of Sports Medicine 55(5): 249-256.
Martin, R. L., et al. (2018). "Achilles Pain, Stiffness, and Muscle Power Deficits: Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy Revision 2018: Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health From the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association." Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 48(5): A1-A38.
De Vos, R. J., et al. "The additional value of a night splint to eccentric exercises in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomised controlled trial." British Journal of Sports Medicine 41.7 (2007): e5-e5.
De Jonge, Suzan, et al. "One-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial on added splinting to eccentric exercises in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy." British Journal of Sports Medicine 44.9 (2010): 673-677.
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I suffered with Achilles tendonitis for a month. I didn't use a splint because of all the youtubers who said they didn't work. But, I decided to try wearing one anyway because nothing else was working. After only 5 days of wearing a night splint the pain and stiffness were completely gone.
My foot doctor recommended night splints for my achilles tendonitis + plabtar fascitis. They know best and I trust their guidance.
My physician's assistant diagnosed me with insertional Achilles tendonitis based purely on history and did no imaging (I'm in the States and have no insurance). I'm wondering if I should still get imaging though...? I felt a tearing sensation in the back of my heel in August, had a difficult time for about a month to 6 weeks, but was completely back to normal for 3-4 months when I suddenly felt the tearing sensation again, this time more intensely, and have been hobbling around since (almost 3 weeks). She told me to use heel lifts, a night splint, and Voltaren gel. Based on your video, I think I will skip the night splint.
Yes, I would leave that out
I have had an ongoing achilles tendon issue for probably 18 months. Earlier this year I was able to complete a Marathon by managing my symptoms. This meant basically no tempo and speed runs and all where I could keep paib below 3/10. I did hace a boot and wearing it made my tendon feel better in the morning i.e. the soreness was much less but still I don't think other than that it had any real benefits. My new physio said I should stop wearing it as it was only masking the issue and better to gauge how it is without it.
Hi, do you have videos about plantar fasciites?
Hi, here's the main plantar fasciitis video from our other Channel. Check out its Description for links to our other plantar fasciitis videos.
czcams.com/video/JXyFJnIifuY/video.html
I'm getting over an achilles rupture. My foot is stiff first thing in the morning. But having a hot shower and massage frees it up immediately.
I have been having problems with my right Achilles tendon and have had quite a few doctors and labwork (Xray & MRI) to date. There have been quite a few suggestions on how to fix the problem ... but I get a feeling that the doctors are just guessing and if whatever we do doesn't work, they will not accept any fault for their misdiagnosis. Not a big problem if the interventions are PT or exercise, but surgery is quite different: If going through with that ... and being immobilized for 6 or more weeks doesn't fix the problem, I would be seriously disappointed.
Hi Steve, our team have successfully helped thousands of patients with Achilles injuries via our online service. If you wanted a second opinion and treatment advice, this is something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/
Do you have a video on achilles paratendinopathy (i.e. to do with the sheath)? Is this a thing? Is it different to standard achilles tendinopathy? Is the treatment different? Might a night splint help with a paratendinopathy?
Yes, it is a thing but we don't have a video about it. The main treatment for it is to stop doing the things that have caused the irritation of the sheath - this may mean adjusting shoes, stopping certain exercises etc. Night splints are not usually something we prescribe for it. The advice on shoes in this video also apply in this case - I know it is about running shoes but the principles are the same: czcams.com/video/V94WwPN4mW8/video.html
@@TreatMyAchilles Thank you! Paratendinopathy could be the subject of your next video then ;) (they're all great BTW). In my experience, night splints reduce the pain you get first thing in the morning but don't usually reduce the pain in the tendon when running (which would be consistent with the fact that they're not actually helping strengthen the tendon). A pet theory of mine is that a night splint could help with paratendinopathy not because it applies a stretch but because it keeps tendon and sheath concentric. Similarly I figured they might help the structural rebuilding of a tendon with tendinopathy by helping keep all those little fibres straight and aligned as they re-form during the nighttime hours. Probably nonsense I realise.
I have heel pain. I really canât classify if itâs PF or Achilles tendon. If I wear straws burg sock, how soon will I see the result?
I really can't answer that without assessing you because it depends on the extent of your injury and what else you are doing in your daily life.
If you wanted help figuring this out and with getting back to your normal activities, this is something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/
Iâve gotten an XR yesterday and it says I have a spur and Achilles swelling. I find that when I use the night splint, itâs very painful upon walking in the morning. Should I skip the night splint?
The video advises against a night splint in any event.
I wish I watched this video before I started the night splints!!! They made my Achilles tendonitis much worse...and I have spent nearly $400 + on shoes...now I am told to wear a mule shoe...I think I should have worn those before I spent $400+ on 2 pair of other shoes that have made my feet feel worse...I also have spurs on my heels so right now my feet are a mess...I ice them every few hours but I can't ice them during my 12-hour shifts...anyway I was told by my foot specialist it could take 3+ months for my feet to feel better...I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago and zero improvements yet so I think it is going to take longer than the 3 months for my feet to heal đ
Do you have any recommendations for a good mule shoe? I don't want to spend another $150 or more on shoes that won't work for healing my feet...
I don't know what a mule shoe is - we discuss best shoe options in this video - I know the video is about running but it really applies to daily walking etc. as well: czcams.com/video/q3-lCfc3RJQ/video.html
Thanks for this video as it is very informative, but I would like to add one personal observation of mine here... I too have been diagnosed with insertional tenonitis with no MRI by a doctor. I have been getting better with therapy and stretches, however I will say there is definitely a difference between using the night splint boot at night based on if you're a stomach sleeper or not.. I have tried it both ways, with and without and there is a definite morning heel pain which is mild to severe stiffness if I do not use the boot at night.. So to say the boot is not effective at all for all night sleepers I would probably disagree or maybe I have a combination of PF with insertional tendonitis but as for now, if I want to avoid complete morning heel pain, I need to use the boot..
Thank you for sharing your experience - every person is different so it is valuable to have different reports. Our patients have never found them useful and quite often it actually interfered with their sleep. But perhaps it is that the position you like to sleep in is the key as to why your tendon feels better with it? So perhaps stomach sleeping puts the foot in a position that irritates the tendon and the splint stops you doing it?
I can relate. Fellow stomach sleeper with insertional tendinitis, here. Using my night splint, leftover from past PF issues, is like night and day in terms of Achilles soreness in the morning. I'm only a little over a week into my tendinitis, but this along with dedicated calf training has me pain free, just as long as I run with heel inserts and avoid excessive dorsiflexion.
My Achilles tendon pain 1 year ago but 9 month ago i started your Achilles tendon exercise they feel good but not completely recover and after 1 month exercise i left exercise because i think pain was not coming now but 2 months ago pain coming and my ankel are very tight they don't move side to side easily plz tell me what i do now
Hi Syed,
We cannot provide individual treatment advice without doing an in-depth assessment of your injury and your personal circumstances, as the advice might not be appropriate for you. You're welcome to book a video consultation with one of our physios if you would like an assessment and a personalised treatment plan: www.treatmyachilles.com/
Hi .
Can I wear the socks several times throughout the day if I wear them overnight without worrying about overuse?
Thank You .
Are you referring to strassburg socks? - we don't recommend any specific socks or splints for Achilles tendonitis treatment. If you mean for plantar fasciitis then only at night.
@@TreatMyAchilles
Thank you for the quick reply. Yes, I mean the Strasbourg Socks and wear them because of plantar fasciitis. Good, then I only wear the socks during the night.
I heard night splints were great for relieving pain for plantar facsiitis ?
Yes, they can be helpful for plantar fasciitis
What if you have a partially torn achilles, should you wear a boot or strasberg sock at night?
No, they should not be used for a partially torn Achilles tendon either. This is how to treat it: czcams.com/video/O9E-PkGPZrM/video.html
@@TreatMyAchilles I watched the video and it was very informative. However, it didn't really address what to do at night. So I would assume, where my boot during the day and take it off at night.
It would be best to check this with the medical professional who prescribed the boot, as they would be familiar with your specific circumstances.