Skin Traction

• Buck's Traction


  Exerts straight pull on affected extremity; temporary intervention to immobilize the leg in patient with a fractured hip
• Buck's Traction

  Shock blocks at the foot of the bed produce counter traction and prevent the patient from sliding down in bed
• Buck's Traction

  Has a horizontal weight; can immobilize one bone only
• Buck's Traction

  Turn client towards unaffected side
• Buck's Traction

  Check for pressure sore at the heel of the foot and signs and symptoms of thrombophlebitis
• Russell Traction


  Knee is suspended in a sling attached to a rope and pulley on a Balkan frame, creating upward pull from the knee (vertical traction)
• Russell Traction

  Weights are attached to the foot of the bed creating horizontal traction
• Russell Traction


  It has vertical and horizontal weights
• Russell Traction


  Used to treat fracture of the femur; can immobilize >1 bone
• Russell Traction


  Allows patient to move about in bed more freely and permits bending of the knee joint
• Russell Traction

  Hip should be flexed at 20°- 30° angle; foot of bed usually elevated by shock blocks to provide counter traction
• Russell Traction

  Assess back of the knee for pressure sores; check the leg for signs and symptoms of thrombophlebitis
• Bryant Traction

  Both legs are raised at 90° angle to bed since the  weight of the child is not adequate to provide countertraction
• Bryant Traction


  Used for children <2 years or <30 pounds to treat fractures of the femur and hip dislocation
• Bryant Traction

  Buttocks must be slightly OFF the mattress to enhance efficency of the weight as countertraction
• Bryant Traction

  Knees slightly flexed to prevent hyperextension deformity of the knees. Hyperextension deformity of the knees will make the child unable to bend the knees when walking
• Cervical Traction


  Cervical head halter attached to weights that hang over head of bed
• Cervical Traction


  Used for soft lissue damage or degenerative disc disease of cervical spine to reduce muscle spasm and maintain alignment
• Cervical Traction

  Usually intermittent traction, elevate head of bed to provide countertraction
• Pelvic Traction


  Pelvic girdle is secured around iliac crest with extension straps attached to ropes and weights
• Pelvic Traction


  Used for low back to reduce muscle spasm and maintain alignment
• Pelvic Traction

  Usually intermittently applied; patient is placed in Semi - Fowler's position with knee gatched at 20 - 30° angle - William's position
• Pelvic Traction

  Encourage the client to use overhead trapeze