Fortunately, with a little insight and a few household items, you construct a functional splint that can immobilize the foot and make it easier (and safer) to head to the hospital.
Check the blood circulation by feeling the temperature of the foot and comparing it with the uninjured foot. If it is colder, it suggests there may be a circulatory problem. Check for sensation by touching a toe and asking the injured person to identify which toe was touched. Make note if there is any numbness or tingling. Check for movement by asking the person to wiggle his or her toes. Check for bruising as this can help identify where the injury is.
Be sure to report these to the doctor or nurse when arriving at the hospital.
The cardboard should be long enough so that it comes at least halfway up to the calf. It should also be broad enough so that it can be folded around the foot in sections with a left panel, center panel, and right panel.
Using the edge of a desk or the corner of a wall as a guide, make two vertical creases in the cardboard. You will want to ensure that foot and calf rest snugly in the center panel, while the side panels can wrap around the foot and be more or less square.
This type of splint is not intended as a substitute for proper medical care.
