May 11 2007
Strassburg Sock - Foot Care Product Review
The Strassburg SockTM is a comfortable night splint for treating plantar fasciitis, heel pain, heel spurs and tendonitis. The Strassburg Sock is a tubular knit sock with adjustable straps used at night to stretch the plantar fascia and the calf. It is lightweight, breathable and washable. Many people find that the soft night splints are more comfortable than the rigid night splints. The strassburg sock is designed to be pulled on like a sock. The sock fits over the calf and then a strap is connected from the calf to the toes. The strap can then be adjusted and the toes can be pulled back, placing a stretch on the plantar fascia, allowing it to heal in the stretched position.
In a study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery in 2002, 160 patients with plantar fasciitis were treated with either the Strassburg SockTM or prescribed stretching regimen. The patients who used the Strassburg Sock did not stretch on their own or engage in any stretching regimen during the study, but did wear the Strassburg Soc for a minimum of 6 hours at night. Almost 98% of the patients using the Strassburg Sock, recovered in 8 weeks, many recovering in less than 3 weeks. Those wearing the sock recovered in a significantly shorter period of time than those patients using only the stretching regimen.
In previous studies, night splints were found to be uncomfortable and many patients couldn’t tolerate them. This resulted in practitioners initially believing night splints were ineffective. In this study all 89 patients in the Strassburg group were able to tolerate wearing the sock at night.
Some complaints about night splints in general are that they are difficult to sleep in, but they can be worn for a few hours in the evening while reading or watching t.v. or part of the night while sleeping. Those who have problems with ingrown toenails at the great toe may find the ingrown nail inflamed because of the pull of the sock on the toes. Other complaints are that the sock slips down during the night, not uncommon in those with very thin calves. But, in general, the majority of people find the sock a comfortable and effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. Link to The Strassburg Sock.