The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band of connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to the ball of the foot. The plantar fascia plays an important part in the way the foot is intended to operate whilst running, jumping and walking.

Plantar fasciitis splints are typically referred to as "night splints" because they are worn by the patient at night during sleep. Typically for day-use, a lighter, more portable plantar fasciitis sock is used to help the plantar fascia during rest. The night splint is a semi rigid, cushioned boot. People often compare the night splints to comfortable snowboarding boots.

Night splints have been shown to help cut the most severe pain and swelling of plantar fasciitis that is typically felt in the morning with the patient's first steps of the day. Plantar fasciitis night splints function by holding the foot in a position of dorsiflexion (with the toes pointing up rather than forward) during the night and therefore preventing the shortening of the plantar fascia and calf. The leg and foot is kept in a position of very gentle stretch. The sharp pain often felt in the morning is caused by the weight of the first footsteps forcing the plantar fascia to overstretch due to the force of body weight, thus tearing the microscopic fibers that began to heal in a shortened position at night. By wearing a night splint, this morning overstretching and damage can be avoided.

Reports have shown a night splint can quicken the healing process as the ligament is kept aligned with the arch of the foot. Since getting sufficient sleep is crucial for the healing process, wearing a plantar fasciitis night splint can cut the irritation experienced during the night and let the patient get a better quality of sleep. Also, by maintaining proper alignment of the calf muscle, Achilles and plantar fascia during sleep, the foot can heal in a more natural, stable, position.

Studies show that close to eighty per cent. of patients show advances in their condition after wearing a night splint for some time. Particularly, wearing night splints can be especially beneficial in people who have had plantar fasciitis for more than one year.

Identifying plantar fasciitis early and a structured treatment schedule are key for healing plantar fasciitis. If treatment is delayed or deficient in the early stages of the condition, the condition can take six to eighteen months or more to be fully treated. Nevertheless by following a properly mapped out treatment system and fusing several of the individual treatment methods available, thankfully in most cases, non-surgical treatment results in a full recovery. Only in the most extreme of cases is invasive plantar fasciitis treatment necessary.