How to Make a Wooden Finger Splint

Splints stabilize injured body parts by preventing movement, and splints can be made out of wood, plastic or metal. Finger injuries occur everyday, and broken fingers are often stabilized by a splint rather than a cast. A finger splint prevents the digit from moving by keeping the finger straight. A wooden finger splint is inexpensive and simple to make.

Things You'll Need

• Tongue depressors (or Popsicle sticks)
• Glue
• Tape or gauze

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose the wood for the finger splint. Thin wood is less bulky and allows the surrounding fingers to move more easily. Use a tongue depressor to make a simple wooden finger splint. Tongue depressors can be purchased at department stores, craft stores, pharmacies and online. Use three tongue depressors to make one wooden finger splint.

• 2

  Size the wood for the finger splint. If the tongue depressor is too large, use a pair of sturdy scissors, such as cutlery scissors or trauma shears, to cut it to the proper size. The tongue depressor should be slightly longer than the finger. Cut a clean edge to prevent splinters and to keep jagged edges from catching on clothing or scratching the skin. If the tongue depressor is too wide, use a Popsicle stick.

• 3

  Assemble the splint. Use three tongue depressors to make the splint. Place one tongue depressor on the bottom of the finger. Place the hand palm down on a table. The side of the finger that touches the table is the bottom of the finger. Place the remaining two tongue depressors on each side of the finger. Attach the tongue depressors together with glue (prior to placing on the finger) or hold the splint in place with tape or gauze. The top of the finger is uncovered to view the condition of the finger.

• 4

  Secure the splint with tape. After placing the tongue depressors around the finger, secure it in place with medical tape or gauze. Tape the splint in place by wrapping a piece of tape completely around the splint. It may require multiple pieces of tape to secure the splint in place. Do not cover the fingernail so it can be checked for discoloration, which is an indication of a problem.

• 5

  Secure the splint with gauze. A roll of gauze can be used instead of tape. Wrap the gauze around the splint, keeping the gauze pulled tight to secure the splint in place. Cut the gauze after completely wrapping the splint. Leave the fingernail uncovered so it remains visible.