Traction

• It is the act of pulling and drawing associated with counter traction.

  TRACTION
• Counter traction is used to prevent further movement of fractured bone fragments, while traction is used to pull them back into place.
• What is the purpose of traction?

  • For support
  • For immobilization
  • To prevent further fracture
  • Prevent or lessen muscle spasm or pain
  • Correct and prevent deformity
  • Maintain good body alignment
• What are the principles of traction?

  • The patient must be in a supine or dorsal recumbent position.
  • The traction must be continuous
  • There must be a counter-traction
  • There should be no friction
  • The line of pull must be in line with the deformity
• How to prevent friction?

  • No knots near the pulley
  • Weights should be hanging freely
  • Cords should be running along with the groove of the pulley
  • Observe the wear and tear of the ropes and bags
• It is the act of pulling and drawing associated with counter traction.

  BST or The Balance Skeletal Traction
• What are the two steps in the preparation of BST?

  • Check the doctor's order
  • Prepare the patient psychologically
• What are the information needed when checking the doctor's order?

  Pt's name, extremity to be placed on BST, weights to be applied
• What should a nurse tell the patient to prepare them psychologically?

  Introduce, the purpose of the treatment, and inform what will be done, expectations of the pt to nurse and vice versa
• What is this part of the orthopedic bed?

  Balkan Frame

  
• Part of Orthopedic Bed

  Fracture Board

  
• Part of Orthopedic bed

  Overhead trapeze

  
• Part of Orthopedic bed

  Firm Mattress

  
• Part of the orthopedic bed

  Clamps

  
• Part of the orthopedic bed

  Pulleys

  
• What are the parts of an orthopedic bed?

  • Balkan Frame
  • Fracture Board
  • Pulleys
  • Clamps
  • Firm Mattress
  • Overhead Trapeze
• What is the equipment needed for BST?

  • Steinmann's Pin Holder
  • Rest Splint
  • Thomas Splint with half-ring
  • Pearson's attachment
• Equipment for BST

  Steinmann's pin holder

  
• Equipment for BST

  Rest Splint

  
• Equipment needed for BST

  Thomas splint with half-ring

  
• Equipment needed for BST

  Pearson's attachment

  
• What are the materials needed for BST?

  • Clips or Pins
  • Slings
  • Braun Bohler splint
  • Foot pedal or Footboard
  • 3 Sash Cords
  • 2 weight bags
• Materials needed for BST

  Clips or Pins

  
• Materials needed for BST

  Braun bohler splint

  
• Materials needed for BST

  Slings

  
• Materials needed for BST

  Foot pedal or footboard

  
• Materials needed for BST

  2 weight bags

  
• Materials needed for BST

  3 sash cords

  
• What are the three types of sash cords?

  • Thigh rope
  • Traction rope
  • Suspension rope
• What are the two types of weight bags?

  • Traction weight (10 percent of the pt's body weight)
  • Suspension weight (1/2 of traction weight)
• What are the two knots used in BST?

  Slip and clove hitch knot
• Principles in the application of slings:

  • Start application in the medial aspect of Thomas splint and fasten at the lateral aspect with clips or pins to prevent injury
  • Apply slings snugly, not too tight to impede circulation nor too loose to defeat the purpose of support
  • The smooth surface of the slings should come in contact with the patient's skin to prevent skin irritation
  • Provide an inch space between slings for ventilation
  • Long slings should be fanfolded
  • The number of slings will vary with the size of the patient's leg
  • Keep the ankle and the popliteal area free from slings as they are highly vascular areas
  • Broader and longer slings are for the thighs while narrower and shorter slings are for the leg area
• What are the complications of traction?

  • Pneumonia
  • Bed sores
  • Urinary and bladder problems
  • Bowel elimination
  • Infection
  • Deformity
• Nursing care of patients with traction

  • Hygiene and comfort
  • Prevent infection
  • Proper nutrition
  • Prevent pressure sores
  • Exercise of the unaffected extremity
  • Prevent pulmonary problems
  • Diversional activities
  • Attend to any complaint of the patient
• What are the types of traction?

  Manual and skeletal traction
• It is the traction used by a pulling force applied by the hands of the operator

  Manual traction
• It is a pulling force applied directly to the bone using pins and wires.

  Skeletal traction
• Examples of the skeletal traction involve?

  Affection of the femur, cervical spine, or hip
• It is the wire holder used if there is an affection of the radius and ulna. It is also thinner than Steinmann's pin.

  Kirschner's wire holder
• It is a holder used if there is the affection in the humerus, femur, tibia, and fibula

  Steinmann's pin holder