How To Make A Toe Splint

You never know when a situation may arise that you or someone around you needs a toe splint.  Toe injuries can be very painful and often doctors will do nothing but simply put a splint on the injury, send you on your way and bless you with a bill.  Knowing how to make your own toe splint can save you a trip to the doctor and some money, or at least allow you to secure the injury until you can make an appointment.

It is of course recommended that if the pain is severe or if you feel that you may have a broken bone that you seek medical attention.  Never attempt to reset a broken bone yourself and do not ever ice your injured toe for longer than 20 minutes every few hours.

Keep in mind when putting your toe in a toe splint that you should tape the splinted toe with the neighboring one to avoid any further movement.  Ibuprofen can also be helpful to reduce pain and swelling.

Building A Basic Toe Splint

1. Place a popsicle stick on either side of your injured toe, pointing in the same direction of the toe.  Use a pencil and mark on the stick a spot that is just a touch longer than your toe.

2. Break or cut the Popsicle stick in the exact spot that you marked it.

3. Repeat step two for the Popsicle stick that will go on the other side of the toe splint.

4. Wrap both of the Popsicle sticks individually with a nice layer of gauze wrap.  Be sure that you cover the entire sticks so that they do not rub on your toe.

5. Check the circulation of your toe.  You can do this by lightly squeezing the end and taking note of how long the color takes to reappear.  This will be your guide to be sure that you do not apply the toe splint too tightly, cutting off circulation.

6. Place the two Popsicle sticks that are wrapped in gauze on either side of the toe that is inured.

7. Use medical tape to wrap the toe and the Popsicle sticks together to prevent any unwanted movement occurring of the toe.

8. Check your circulation like you did in step five.  If it takes too long for the color to come back then you need to wrap your toe splint a little looser.

Traumatic Fractures

Also referred to as acute fractures, they are usually caused by severe impact to your toe such as stubbing it quite hard.  These types of fractures can either be non-displaced or displaced, characterized by if the bone has changed position or dislocated at all.

Treatment For Traumatic Toe Fractures

Almost all fractures that occur in the bones of the toes are traumatic fractures.  Treatment will ultimately depend on the break but almost always include the following options:

• Rest – Often a traumatic fracture can be healed by just simply resting it.

• Toe Splint – A nice secure toe splint is beneficial to eliminate movement which can result in aggravated pain and a worsened condition.

• Stiff-soled Shoes – A shoe with a hard, rigid sole will help keep the injured toe stationary.  You never want to wear a shoe that allows you to still bend your toes.

• Taping – Some people find relief simply by taping one toe to the injured toe but others find this causes more pain.  A toe splint is recommended.

• Surgery – If your toe is severely displaced or if your joint happens to be injured then surgery may be the appropriate treatment option.  A surgery of this type will often involve the use of pins.