Traction

• Traction is an act of pulling or drawing which is associated with a counter traction.
• Traction means that a pulling force is applied to a part of the body or an extremity while a countertraction pulls in the opposite direction.
• The purposes of traction are to prevent and correct deformity, relieve pain, relieve muscle spasm, and reduce or immobilize fracture.
• The principles of traction include position should be supine, avoid friction, allow the weights to hang freely, apply traction continuously, and there should be an adequate countertraction.
• Skeletal traction is performed when more pulling force is needed, it uses weights of 25-40 pounds, requires the placement of tongs, pins, or screws into the bone so that the weight is applied directly to the bone, and is an invasive procedure that is done in an OR under GA, RA or LA.
• Skin traction is used if traction is temporary, or if only a light or discontinuous force is needed; it uses 5-7 pounds weights attached to the skin to indirectly apply the necessary pulling force on the bone, and is not invasive; it is usually performed in a hospital bed/ bedside.
• Manual traction is used if traction is done by a healthcare personnel/ operator, and is used to provide a very specific and controlled distraction force to extremity or joint.
• Cervical skeletal traction uses Gardner-Wells tongs, which are considered less likely to pull out of place than are Crutchfield tongs, and involves drilling holes into the sides of the skull and inserting the tongs into these holes.
• Femoral skeletal traction involves the placement of pins or screws into the femur, and the use of weights of 25-40 pounds.
• Skin traction can be used for various parts of the body, including the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and sacrum, and can be done with weights of 5-7 pounds.
• Balkan Frame/ Orthopedic Bed consists of 4 vertical bars, 2 horizontal bars, 3 Cross Bars, pulleys, hanging trapeze, firm mattress, and fracture board.