Stepwell™ Night Splint

The first step out of bed is the worst one. There's a reason for that.

While you sleep, your foot relaxes into a pointed position. The plantar fascia — the band of tissue running the length of your arch — draws up short overnight and begins knitting together that way. Then you stand, your full body weight lands on it, and it pulls apart again.

That's the cycle. Every morning undoes what the night was trying to repair. It's also why rolling a frozen bottle under your arch at 6pm doesn't change what happens at 6am — by then the tissue has already spent eight hours shortening.

The Stepwell Night Splint holds your foot where it can't shorten.

Three adjustable straps — forefoot, ankle and calf — hold the foot near a neutral ninety degrees through the night, keeping the fascia and calf gently extended while you sleep. You're not stretching. You're preventing the overnight contraction that makes the first step hurt.

In the box

• One Stepwell Night Splint, fits either foot
• Three independently adjustable straps
• Breathable lining, one size, adjustable fit

How to wear it

• Put it on in bed, or while resting with your feet up in the evening
• Start at the loosest setting for the first few nights, then tighten a little at a time
• Judge it by your first steps in the morning, not by how your foot feels at night

Questions people ask

Will I actually be able to sleep in it? Most people take three or four nights to adjust. Starting loose makes more difference than anything else.

Which foot does it fit? Either one. It's symmetrical and fully adjustable.

Do I need two? Only if both feet are affected. Plenty of people start with one.

How long before I notice anything? It works by preventing overnight shortening, so it only does its job on the nights you actually wear it. Consistency matters more than duration.

The Stepwell Night Splint is a positioning and support product. It is not a treatment for any medical condition and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have diabetes, circulatory problems, nerve damage or persistent foot pain, speak with your doctor before using a night splint.