TRACTION

Traction is the application of a pulling force to a part of the

body.
INDICATIONS
To minimize muscle spasms
To reduce, align, and immobilize fractures
To reduce deformity
To increase space between opposing surfaces

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 Mechanisms of Traction

Vector of Force Lines of pull that counteracts the other.

Resultant line of pull- Resultant pulling force between the two

lines of pull.

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Traction must be applied in the correct direction and magnitude to
obtain its
therapeutic effects. As muscle and soft tissues relax, the amount of
weight used may be changed to obtain the desired effect (NAON,
2007)

Traction is used primarily as a short-term intervention until other

modalities, such as external or internal fixation, are possible.

These modalities reduce the risk of disuse syndrome and minimize

the length of hospitalization, often allowing the patient to be cared
for in the home setting (NAON, 2007).

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PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE TRACTION

Countertraction must be used to achieve

effective traction.
Traction must be continuous to be effective in
reducing and immobilizing fractures.
Skeletal traction is never interrupted.
Weights are not removed unless intermittent
traction is prescribed.
Any factor that might reduce the effective pull or
alter its resultant line of pull must be eliminated:
The patient must be in good body alignment in
the center of the bed when traction is applied.
Ropes must be unobstructed.
Weights must hang freely and not rest on the
bed or floor.
Knots in the rope or the footplate must not
touch the pulley or the foot of the bed.of Nursing
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 TYPES OF TRACTION

Straight or running traction - Balanced suspension traction-

applies the pulling force in a supports the affected extremity off
straight line with the body part the bed and allows for some patient
resting on the bed. movement without disruption of the
line of pull.

(e.g Bucks extension traction)

(e.g Balanced suspension skeletal
traction with Thomas leg splint)
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 MODE OF TRACTION APPLICATION

1.) Skin Traction- used to control muscle spasms

and to immobilize an area before surgery.
Types of skin traction
A. Bucks extension - applied to the lower leg. Use to
immobilize fractures of the proximal femur before surgical
fixation.
B. Cervical head halter -used to treat neck pain.
C. Pelvic belt - used to treat back pain.

A B C
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 Skin traction guidelines

1. The amount of weight applied must not exceed

the tolerance of the skin.
2. No more than 2 to 3.5 kg (4.5 to 8 lb) of traction
can be used on an extremity.
2.)3.Skeletal
Pelvic traction is usually
Traction- used 4.5 to 9 fractures
to treat kg (10 to of
20
lb), depending
the femur, the tibia,on the
and weight
the of the
cervical patient.
spine.

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 Nursing
Interventions
Maintaining Effective Traction

Checks the traction apparatus to see that the ropes are in the
wheel grooves of the pulleys, that the ropes are not frayed, that
the weights hang freely, and that the knots in the rope are tied
securely.
Evaluates the patients position, because slipping down in bed
results in ineffective traction.

Maintaining Positioning
Maintain the alignment of the patients body in traction as
prescribed to promote an effective line of pull.
The nurse positions the patients foot to avoid footdrop (plantar
flexion), inward rotation (inversion), and outward rotation
(eversion).
The patients foot may be supported in a neutral position by
orthopedic devices (eg, foot supports).

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