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Dynamic Night Splint

Dynamic Night Splint

More mobility by prolonged stretching

for shortened calf muscle.

Gradual Change, Lasting Results

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 Static Night splint, a slim and stiff adjustable orthosis, shortening of the achilles tendon / calf muscle can be prevented or treated. Shortening of the calf muscle is very common in people who experience calf muscle spasms. This is because the muscle remains in a shortened position for an extended period due to the spasm, pulling the ankle into plantar flexion, also known as the equinus position. Over time, this leads to muscle shortening, which eventually prevents the ankle from being fully dorsiflexed (lifting the foot upward).

Treatment is necessary

“This can lead to pain, an altered gait pattern where the toes strike the ground before the heel, and eventually even to knee-related issues such as hyperextension. Therefore, treatment is essential.

Take your time

Muscle shortening doesn’t happen overnight. You won’t simply wake up one morning with a shortened calf muscle. These kinds of changes in the body typically occur gradually over time and the recovery process is no different. Regaining flexibility through stretching also takes time and doesn’t happen automatically or quickly. Importantly, when it comes to stretching, time matters more than force. Prolonged, gentle tension applied to the muscle at its end range is more effective than brief, intense pulling. This is due to the viscoelastic properties of muscle tissue and the body’s internal regeneration and growth processes, both of which are 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.

Indications

  • 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, during the stance phase of walking, there is an early foot strike with pressure under the forefoot — essentially walking on the toes. This shifts the lower leg backward, causing the load line to pass in front of the knee. As a result, a significant extension force is placed on the knee, which can eventually lead to hyperextension, also known as Genu Recurvatum. This condition can be quite painful and may lead to progressive damage to the knee joint.
  • In the video on this page, you can observe the gait abnormalities described above — including insufficient foot lift, early forefoot loading during the stance phase, and knee hyperextension. To help prevent these issues, a Dynamic Night Splint is sometimes prescribed. The goal of this orthosis is to maintain a gentle, prolonged stretch on the foot-lifting structures (such as the Achilles tendon and calf muscle) for several hours each night. Over time, this encourages gradual lengthening. When the treatment is applied consistently over a long period, it often results in lasting improvement. That’s why adherence to the therapy is crucial. In this case, time matters more than force: you don’t need to push yourself to the limit, but you do need to be persistent!

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

ankle-foot_orthosis_nightsplint


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?

Details Dynamic Night SplintThis image shows a detailed view of the hinge and spring mechanism of the Swift Dynamic Night Splint. As the name suggests, the Swift Orthosis is dynamic. In the image on the right, you can see the integrated hinges, which are embedded within the design, resulting in a very slim profile. While the appearance of a night splint may not be a major concern for most users, comfort becomes crucial, especially when lying on your side. That’s why the slim design of the Swift Dynamic Night Splint hinges is a valuable feature.

Experiment 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.

Lateral photomeasurement

Photomeasurement 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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