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Dynamic Night Splint

Dynamic Night Splint

More mobility by prolonged stretching

for shortened calf muscle.

De tijd mee hebben

The Night Splint is an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis, also known as brace) intended for stretching a shortened calf muscle. The night splint is available in two versions: a Dynamic and Static Night Splint. On this page you will find more details about our Dynamic Night Splint. If you are more interested in the Static Night splint, click here.

Shortening of the calf muscle

With the Swift Dynamic Night splint, a slim and adjustable orthosis, shortening of the achilles tendon / calf muscle can be prevented or treated. Shortening of the calf muscle is very common for people who suffer from spasm in the calf. Because the muscle is held in short position by the spasm for a longer period of time (where the ankle is brought in Plantar flexion, with other words: the foot is pulled in equinus position.), shorten it in the long run. The ankle can then no longer be brought completely into dorsal flexion (foot up).

Treatment is necessary

That can lead to pain, reversal foot strike during walking (first the toes on the floor, instead of first the heel on the floor) and ultimately even to complaints on knee-level (hyperextension). Treatment is therefore necessary.

Take your time

The shortening of the muscle does not happen overnight. You will not wake up in the morning with a shortened calf muscle. These types of processes in the body generally go gradual and taking time. Also the way back takes time. Stretching again does not go on its own and not quickly. In addition, time is more important than force. The prolonged tension of the muscle at its finite end with a low force is more pronounced than short-term pulling really hard. This is because of the combination of viscoelastic behavior and regeneration / growth of the body’s internal structures, which are both time-dependent.

Specifications of the Dynamic Night Splint

  • The dynamic night splint exerts continuous pressure on the foot through the elasticated elastic on both sides and brings the foot into dorsal reflective posture (toes pointing upwards).
  • This attracts the calf muscle to its limit and is kept tense.
  • Because of this dynamic construction, your ankle foot can just move while sleeping, but the springs bring the feet back in rest in the back in maximum position, so that the stress on achilles tendon / calf muscle can work again. That ultimately leads to the best result.
  • Correction force adjustable.
  • Available in different colors and patterns.
  • Strap in nice anthracite color.
  • Edges nicely curled and perfectly finished.
  • Possibility to add upholstery at the inside of the AFO.
  • Possibility for addition of (own individually manufactured) insole.
  • Custom made using Swift photo measurement technique.

The green rubber bands on the detail photo are the feathers that bring the foot to dorsiflexion (toes point upward). Your therapist can easily play with the stress by adding or leaving springs. This is how a good balance can be found between clinical effect and comfort.

Time is more important than force. It is better not to choose a too high stress, so that you can comfortably wear the orthosis for longer periods of time than with extreme correction to try to achieve maximum effect, but not able to handle the orthosis for a long time.

Indication

  • Sometimes a shortening occurs in the achilles tendon / calf muscle. This is usually due to increased tonus / spasticity in the calf muscle (especially the Gastrocnemius). This can eventually lead to severe walking disorders.
  • Raising the foot in the swing phase becomes difficult or even impossible, causing stumbling to occur more frequently.
  • In addition, there is a foot strike in the stance phase, where there is pressure under the forefoot (walking on the toes) very early on. As a result, the lower leg is pushed back more (the load line then runs in front of the knee) and a considerable extending (stretching) load is placed on the knee, which can eventually lead to hyperextension (overstretching) of the knee, also known as Called Genu Recurvatum. This can be quite painful and leads to progressive damage to the knee.
  • In the video on this page, you will see the above-mentioned elements of the gait (ie insufficient foot lift, pressure under the forefoot early in the stance phase and overstretching the knee). To prevent this from occurring, sometimes a Dynamic Night Splint is prescribed. The purpose of this orthosis is to maintain the foot lifter structures (Achilles tendon and calf muscle) for a long time (several hours a night). Eventually they will then slowly stretching up. If the treatment is maintained for a long time, there is almost always a lasting result. For that reason, therapy loyalty is of course very important. Therefore, time is more important than force: you really do not have to torture yourself, but you have to hold on for a long time!

Order codes of the Dynamic Night Splint for professionals

600007 | Dynamic Night Splint based on photo measurement

600004 | Addition print for AFO
600005 | Addition upholstery for AFO
600006 | Addition insole for AFO

600008 | Extra strap set | anthracite
600013 | Extra strap set | beige
600014 | Extra strap set | blue


The Ankle Foot Orthosis is available in several prints.

Manual photo measurement AFO

Or download here the AFO photo measurement manual

How does the Dynamic Night Splint work?

Detail Dynamische NachtspalkHere you see a detailed picture of the hinge and spring direction of the Swift Dynamic Night Splint. The name already says it: This Swift Orthosis is dynamic. On the image to the right you can see the hinges. These hinges are pulled into the model, resulting in a very slim solution. For most people, the cosmetics of a night plint are not so important, but when it’s in the way while laying on your side, comfort is very important. Therefore, it is nice that the Swift Dynamic Night Splint hinges are very slim.

Play with tension

The green rubber elastic elements provide the corrective force of the Swift Dynamic Night Splint. The springs can easily be added and removed. Finding the right tension is important. If we make the tension too high, the orthosis becomes uncomfortable and you will not be able to wear it long. Because permanent correction is mainly due to the long-lasting tension of the internal structures around the ankle, it is important that we do just enough, but not too much.

Photo measurement lateral

Photo measurement for a Swift orthosis

Also the Night Splint (both static as dynamic) are made using Swift photo measurement technique. That means a fast and simple route for you. No complicated and time-consuming session where your leg must be casted and fast delivery (Swift sends the AFO five business days after receiving all data).

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