Many individuals must immobilize a wrist, ankle or other joint during sleep to facilitate healing and to prevent further injury. A variety of splints can be found at local pharmacy and medical supply stores, but often, individuals can make their own, which offers an inexpensive and yet effective way to minimize injury. You can make night splints using a variety of materials around the house for effective relief of pain and inadvertent injury caused by movement at night.
Step 1
Make a night splint for your ankle by using an old plastic laundry detergent bottle to suit your size and need. Make a wrist splint out of a large dish soap detergent bottle. Cut the bottle in half, or just remove the handle and spout. Wash and dry. Place old socks or foam inside to cushion the bottle against the area of the body and gently tie in place using shoelaces, rubber bands or strips of sheeting or other cloth. Don't tie too tightly, but just enough to provide support and to keep the splint on during the night.
Step 2
Create a night splint for a wrist or ankle out of newspaper or magazine pages. This method has long been used in emergency medicine to splint broken bones in the outdoors or when emergency help is not immediately available. Roll a portion of newspaper or magazine around the affected limb and tie into place using string, strips of cloth or even rubber bands. Don't tie too tightly. Make sure adequate blood flow and circulation is ensured before going to sleep. If the binding is too tight, you'll notice a tingling or numb feeling in your fingers or toes.
Step 3
Make splints for fingers using old-fashioned tongue depressors or craft sticks, Place the craft stick under the injured finger and gently tie into place using strips of sheeting or cloth. Don't tie too tightly, but firmly enough to protect the injured finger from injury or movement while you sleep.
