What Are Leg Splints?

A splint is a temporary device used to keep a part of the body motionless to prevent further injury and to reduce pain. If a person injures her leg, paramedics or people that are present often place a splint around the leg. It holds the leg tight until a doctor can examine it and decide what to do about it.

Purpose

• The purpose of a leg splint is to temporarily provide protection to the leg when it becomes injured. Leg injuries can occur from many things including running, car accidents or falls. Until x-rays are taken, the leg is protected with this device. It eliminates the ability to move the leg which protects it from further injuries.

Components

• A leg splint can be made from almost any material available. If you injure your leg, find something sturdy to place around it or adjacent to it, and then wrap it up with tape, rope or cloth. Common items used for this are newspapers, magazines, sticks or boards.

Details

• Doctors may also use commercial splints on patients with leg injuries. If a person experiences a leg injury, while the may place a commercial splint on it. If it is an injury requiring physical therapy or regular treatments, a commercial splint is also often used.

Making a Splint

• Before placing a splint around a person's leg injury, prepare the leg by performing first aid on it. This requires cleaning the leg if there are open wounds and bandaging any wounds. After cleaning the leg, find materials to make the splint. Always make the splint long enough to cover the entire injury by extending the splint over the undamaged parts of the leg. Tie the splint with the materials available and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Things to Avoid

• The biggest thing to avoid when placing a splint on a leg injury is repositioning the leg. If the leg is positioned improperly due to an accident of some kind, do not attempt to move the leg. The splint must be placed on the leg in the position the leg is already in. By attempting to move the leg, further damage can occur.