traction

More about Traction: Purpose Precautions Preparation Aftercare Risks Normal results Resources

Definition

Traction is the use of a pulling force to treat muscle and skeleton disorders.

Description

Skin traction

Skin traction uses five- to seven-pound weights attached to the skin to indirectly apply the necessary pulling force on the bone. If traction is temporary, or if only a light or discontinuous force is needed, then skin traction is the preferred treatment. Because the procedure is not invasive, it is usually performed in a hospital bed.

Weights are attached either through adhesive or non-adhesive tape, or with straps, boots, or cuffs. Care must be taken to keep the straps or tape loose enough to prevent swelling and allow good circulation to the part of the limb beyond the spot where the traction is applied. The amount of weight that can be applied through skin traction is limited because excessive weight will irritate the skin and cause it to slough off.

Specialized forms of skin traction have been developed to address specific problems. Dunlop's traction is used on children with certain fractures of the upper arm, when the arm must be kept in a flexed position to prevent problems with the circulation and nerves around the elbow. Pelvic traction is applied to the lower spine, with a belt around the waist. Buck's skin traction is used to treat knee injuries other than fractures. The purpose of this traction is to stabilize the knee and reduce muscle spasm.

Skeletal traction

Skeletal traction is performed when more pulling force is needed than can be withstood by skin traction; or when the part of the body needing traction is positioned so that skin traction is impossible. Skeletal traction uses weights of 25-40 pounds.

Skeletal traction requires the placement of tongs, pins, or screws into the bone so that the weight is applied directly to the bone. This is an invasive procedure that is done in an operating room under general, regional, or local anesthesia.

Correct placement of the pins is essential to the success of the traction. The pin can be kept in place several months, and must be kept clean to prevent infection. Once the hardware is in place, pulleys and weights are attached to wires to provide the proper pull and alignment on the affected part.

Specialized forms of skeletal traction include cervical traction used for fractures of the neck vertebrae; over-head arm traction used for certain types of upper arm fractures; and tibia pin traction used for some fractures of the femur, hip, or pelvis.

— Tish Davidson

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n.

1. 1. The act of drawing or pulling, especially the drawing of a vehicle or load over a surface by motor power.
   2. The condition of being drawn or pulled.
2. Pulling power, as of a draft animal or engine.
3. Adhesive friction, as of a wheel on a track or a tire on a road.
4. Medicine. A sustained pull applied mechanically especially to the arm, leg, or neck so as to correct fractured or dislocated bones, overcome muscle spasms, or relieve pressure.

[Medieval Latin tractiō, tractiōn-, from Latin tractus, past participle of trahere, to pull, draw.]

tractional trac'tion·al adj.

Questions to Ask the Doctor How long will traction be required? What are the risks and benefits? What is the goal of traction? What is the chance of complications?

Definition

Traction is force applied by weights or other devices to treat bone or muscle disorders or injuries.

Purpose

Traction treats fractures, dislocations, or muscle spasms in an effort to correct deformities and promote healing.

Description

Traction is referred to as a pulling force to treat muscle or skeletal disorders. There are two major types of traction: skin and skeletal traction, within which there are a number of treatments.

Skin Traction

Skin traction includes weight traction, which uses lighter weights or counterweights to apply force to fractures or dislocated joints. Weight traction may be employed short-term, (e.g., at the scene of an accident) or on a temporary basis (e.g., when weights are connected to a pulley located above the patient's bed). The weights, typically weighing five to seven pounds, attach to the skin using tape, straps, or boots. They bring together the fractured bone or dislocated joint so that it may heal correctly.

In obstetrics, weights pull along the pelvic axis of a pregnant woman to facilitate delivery. In elastic traction, an elastic device exerts force on an injured limb.

Skin traction also refers to specialized practices, such as Dunlop's traction, used on children when a fractured arm must maintain a flexed position to avoid circulatory and neurological problems. Buck's skin traction stabilizes the knee, and reduces muscle spasm for knee injuries not involving fractures. In addition, splints, surgical collars, and corsets also may be used.

Skeletal Traction

Skeletal traction requires an invasive procedure in which pins, screws, or wires are surgically installed for use in longer term traction requiring heavier weights. This is the case when the force exerted is more than skin traction can bear, or when skin traction is not appropriate for the body part needing treatment. Weights used in skeletal traction generally range from 25–40 lbs (11–18 kg). It is important to place the pins correctly because they may stay in place for several months, and are the hardware to which weights and pulleys are attached. The pins must be clean to avoid infection. Damage may result if the alignment and weights are not carefully calibrated.

Other forms of skeletal traction are tibia pin traction, for fractures of the pelvis, hip, or femur; and overhead arm traction, used in certain upper arm fractures. Cervical traction is used when the neck vertebrae are fractured.

For tibial traction, a pin is surgically placed in the lower leg (A). The pin is attached to a stirrup (B), and weighted (C). In cervical traction, an incision is made into the head (D). Holes are drilled into the skull, and a halo or tongs are applied (E). Weights are added to pull the spine into place (F). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

Proper care is important for patients in traction. Prolonged immobility should be avoided because it may cause bedsores and possible respiratory, urinary, or circulatory problems. Mobile patients may use a trapeze bar, giving them the option of controlling their movements. An exercise program instituted by caregivers will maintain the patient's muscle and joint mobility. Traction equipment should be checked regularly to ensure proper position and exertion of force. With skeletal traction, it is important to check for inflammation of the bone, a sign of foreign matter introduction (potential source of infection at the screw or pin site).

Preparation

Both skin and skeletal traction require x rays prior to application. If skeletal traction is required, standard pre-op surgical tests are conducted, such as blood and urine studies. X rays may be repeated over the course of treatment to insure that alignment remains correct, and that healing is proceeding.

Normal Results

There have been few scientific studies on the effects of traction. Criteria (such as randomized controlled trials and monitored compliance) do exist, but an outcome study incorporating all of them has not yet been done. Some randomized controlled trials emphasize that traction does not significantly influence long-term outcomes of neck pain or lower back pain.

Resources

Books

"Cervical Spine Traction." In Noble: Textbook of Primary CareMedicine, 3rd ed.Mosby, Inc., (2001): 1132.

Periodicals

Glick, J.M. "Hip Arthroscopy. The Lateral Approach." Clinics in Sports Medicine 20, no.4 (October 1, 2001): 733-41.

Overly, M.D., Frank and Dale W. Steele, M.D. "Common Pediatric Fractures and Dislocations." Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine 3, no.2 (June 2002).

— Nancy McKenzie, Ph.D.

noun

The act of drawing or pulling a load: draft, drag, draw, haul, pull. See push/pull.

n

Definition: physical resistance, friction
Antonyms: slipperiness

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n

The act of drawing (pulling).

The use of a pulling force, especially a force that counteracts the tension surrounding a broken bone (see fracture) so that the bone is kept correctly positioned during healing.

The exertion of a pulling force, as that applied to a fractured bone or dislocated joint to maintain proper position and facilitate healing, or, in obstetrics, that along the axis of the pelvis to assist in delivery of a fetal part.

• t. hook — see krey–schottler hook.
• t. splint — see Schroeder–Thomas splint.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - trækkraft

Nederlands (Dutch)
strekking, rekverband, het (voort)trekken, grip (van wielen)

Français (French)
n. - traction, adhérence (d'une roue)

Deutsch (German)
n. - Traktion, Ziehen, Zug, Haftung, Beförderung

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (μηχαν.) έλξη ή ισχύς έλξεως, τράβηγμα, κίνηση

Italiano (Italian)
trazione

Português (Portuguese)
n. - tração (f)

Русский (Russian)
тяга (электр./паровая и т.д.), сила сцепления, трение, (мед.) вытяжение, тракция, (физиол.) сокращение мышцы, (амер.) городской транспорт

Español (Spanish)
n. - tracción, adherencia, fricción adhesiva

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - dragning, dragkraft, traktion, sträck (med.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
曳, 牵引力, 牵引

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 曳, 牽引力, 牽引

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 견인, 정지 마찰, 끄는 힘

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 引くこと, 牽引力, ひきつける力, 影響力

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) أنسحاب, أنجرار, سحب, جر‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮גרירה, משיכה, כוח-משיכה‬

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Neck Traction	Traction Device For Back
Cervical Home Traction Compare	neckpro cervical traction device