Dynamic Versus Static Night Splinting of Plantar Fasciitis

Launched by STANFORD UNIVERSITY · Jun 22, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at two types of night splints—static and dynamic—used to treat plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes heel pain, especially when you first get up in the morning or after sitting for a long time. The goal is to see if there’s any difference in how well these splints help improve movement and reduce pain.

The study is currently recruiting participants who are 18 years or older and can walk without assistance. To be eligible, you should have had heel pain for less than six months, and it should get worse with standing or walking. You can use ice, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, and custom shoe inserts during the trial. However, if you have certain medical conditions or have had previous treatments for heel pain, you may not qualify. If you decide to participate, you can expect to wear one of the splints at night and attend follow-up appointments to track your progress.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Demographic - Over 18 years of age and ambulatory without a gait aid with no history of narcotic use
• • Diagnosis - Unilateral or bilateral acute (\< 6 months of pain) plantar fasciitis (i.e., Heel pain that increases with weightbearing, "First step pain": heel pain that occurs after a period of non-weightbearing, such as in the morning when arising from bed or when arising after prolonged sitting; the pain is improved after a few minutes walking but will worsen again with prolonged weightbearing, tenderness over the medial calcaneal tuberosity at the insertion of the plantar fasciitis)
• • Permitted - Icing, NSAIDS( ibuprofen), Custom Shoe Inserts, Diagnostic Ultrasound
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Demographic - Under 18 year of age, requires a gait aid for ambulation; if not covered by insurance,
• • Diagnosis of - Arthritis of the Ankle, Midfoot, or Forefoot; Inflammatory Arthritis; Gout; Turf Toe; Hallux Rigidus; Hallux Limitus; Sesamoiditis; Tendonitis or Tendinopathy; Prior tear or Rupture of the Plantar Fascia; Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, or Neuropathy; Peripheral Vascular Disease; Prior Trauma to the Heel, Fracture of the Calcaneus; Infection; Corn; Callus; Ingrown Nail.
• • Patient with history of Symptoms for over 6 months
• • Refractory to prior splint-based treatments
• • Prior injection of the plantar fascia
• • Prior surgery on the plantar fascia
• • Narcotic use