Product Review - New Night Splint For Heel Spur Syndrome & Plantar Fasciitis

2009-02-21T14:24:00.000-08:00

Product Review - New
Night Splint For Heel Spur Syndrome & Plantar Fasciitis

Any runner who has had a heel spur or plantar fasciitis is very familiar with
the sometimes disabling pain on the bottom of the foot when they get up the
following morning, or after sitting for a prolonged period of time.

There is a wide range of treatment options available for the patient, some of
which are more painful than the condition itself (cortisone injections). One of
the treatment options available to patients with excellent results is the
plantar fascia night splint.

Heel Spur Syndrome or plantar fasciitis is a common and painful foot
condition that usually involves a band of tissue that runs from the inside
portion of the heel to the ball of the foot and into the toes. This band of
tissue is known as Plantar Fascia.

Plantar Fasciitis refers to the inflammation of this band, causing pain,
swelling, redness and difficulty walking. Many people use all three terms
synonymously, but in actuality are distinct conditions. Plantar fasciitis is the
most common cause of heel pain.

The plantar fascia serves to support the arch of the foot, and serve as a spring board or shock absorber as you place your foot on the ground. Causes of plantar fasciitis range from a sudden impact,repetitive trauma, improper shoe gear and overuse.

Obesity, flat feet and bio-mechanical problems and certain vocations tend to aggravate this sometimes disabling condition.

Women tend to have the condition more frequently than men due to the shoe
gear women wear. In most cases the pain originates at the insertion of the
plantar fascia along the bottom of the heel bone or calcaneus. Many people
complain of pain in the A.M. while getting out of bed, or after prolonged
sitting. This is due to the contracture of the plantar fascia at rest.

In most cases the condition improves with prolonged ambulation,
as the plantar fascia "stretches out".

The condition is also aggravated by walking barefoot on hard
floors or going up steps.

Many doctors will x-ray a patient's foot to rule out other conditions such as
a fracture or cyst in the heel. Deep palpation or pressure on the inside of the
heel usually reproduces the sharp shooting pain patients feel when they stand.

Some patients will demonstrate a heel spur, or bony prominence that
projects out of the heel, in the direction of the pull of the plantar fascia.

It is thought that prolonged microtrauma and inflammation at the insertion of the plantar fascia into the heel causes these spurs to form and grow.

Most people assume that the pain is coming from the spur at the bottom of the
heel, but that is not entirely correct. The pain comes from the pulling and
tearing of the plantar fascia as it inserts into the heel. There are many
conservative treatment options for this condition, including rest, stretching,
massage, change in shoe gear, ice therapy, arch support, night splints, walking
boots and anti-inflammatory medication. It may take several months for the
condition to improve with conservative care. Surgery is rarely needed in the
treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Many people have found relief with night splints. These are devices worn in
bed that keep the Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fascia stretched out.

By maintaining a slight stretch to these tissues while you sleep, the splint
prevents the contractures that usually occur when non-weightbearing. When
patients get up in the morning, there is less pain because the tissue has not
contracted.

The problem with most traditional night splints is that they run down the
back of the lower leg and under the foot. As most people sleep on there back,
the device can be very uncomfortable to wear due to the rigidity and bulkiness
of the splint. The dorsal night splint was developed to eliminate the
disadvantages of the traditional splint. The dorsal night splint is just as
effective at maintaining the stretch, without the bulkiness and discomfort of
the traditional device.

The Alimed D2 Night Splint™ is designed
to maximize patient compliance with its hinged dorsal
shell and dynamic stretch cord. Most night splints fail
because they force the foot into a 90º position and
expect the patient to tolerate this aggressive stretch
for the entire night.

The new D2 Night Splint™ overcomes this major source
of patient noncompliance by allowing the patient to
start with a more gradual stretch and progress as her
condition improves.

This progressive stretch night splint also enables adjustment of the position
if discomfort increases. In addition, because the splint is anterior (in front
of the ankle & leg), there is more comfort when a patient is sleeping on his/her
back. The patient controls the degree of stretch, a stretch she can tolerate all
night for maximum effectiveness.

Features and Benefits of The Alimed D2 Night Splint™

* Dynamic stretch cord provides a low load stretch
force that gently pulls the foot into dorsiflexion.
* Articulating foot piece and soft bottom enhance safety and comfort during
nighttime and ambulation.
* ROM indicator allows for easy monitoring of progress for documentation.
* Padded terry cloth liner wicks away moisture, helping keep skin dry and
comfortable.
* Plush neoprene straps contour to fit the foot and calf for all-night
comfort.
* Adjust Dynamic Stretch cord in seconds for a dorsiflexion stretch force
that can be sustained all night.
* Numbered cord hooks allow patient to easily gauge progress.
* Up to 15° dorsiflexion.

Talk to your doctor about the New Alimed Dorsal Night Splint™.
It is one of the most popular and successful night splints on the market today.

It is always recommended to consult with your treating doctor to determine
the correct brace for your orthopedic condition.

One of the premiere websites that sells the Alimed Dorsal Night Splint and
provides a wealth of information on other products for heel spur syndromes and
plantar fasciitis is The Brace Shop

The Brace Shop, Inc. is one of the fastest growing brace companies in the
USA. They provide one of the largest selections of extremity braces, therapy
products & accessories on the internet.

The Brace Shop represents some of the most recognized manufacturers in the world of orthopedic braces and supports. No one can beat their prices, their service and their huge selection. They supply hospitals, sports teams, schools, doctors, therapists, nursing homes & military bases around the world. Shop Where The Pros Go!

For the best running shoe support for plantar fasciitis and heel spurs as
well as apparel and nutritional supplements for runners and other athletes is
The Runningshoe Superstore

The Road Runner Sports Story

2009-02-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

The Road Runner Sports Story

In September, 1983, Michael Gotfredson, fondly referred to as Mike G. or Chief Runner, founded Road Runner Sports to provide sports minded people like you with an alternative; the ability to buy quality fitness products at great prices.

Back then, Road Runner Sports was just a garage space in Del Mar, California and on the first day of business, the lone employee took seven orders.

Each order was taken by hand on credit card forms, individually phoned in for authorization and shipped out with handwritten mailing labels. Checking inventory required the sales representative to open the warehouse door and ask, "Do we have any Excalibur size 9?" When a shipment of shoes arrived, all work stopped.

The entire company went out to check in the 100 or so pairs of shoes and process the orders. From the beginning, the importance of teamwork played an essential role in our growth and success.

Twenty-five years later, Road Runner Sports can attribute its successes to the special one-on-one relationship it enjoys with you, the customer.

That relationship has flourished because our employees (now over 400!) make the most of every opportunity to interact with you. Each and every order taken & shipped, product selected for the catalog, website, retail store, catalog mailed, and more are opportunities to establish and develop a personal relationship with you.

Road Runner Sports now has distribution centers in San Diego, California, and Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, we have neighborhood retail stores throughout California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, with more on the way!

Road Runner Sports' size and locations may have changed, but the one thing that remains constant is our commitment to you, our customers, and your passion for running and fitness.

Go to RunningShoeSuperstore for the best prices and selection.