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

The purpose of any traction setup is one or more of the following:

1. To prevent or reduce muscle spasm.
2. To immobilize a joint or part of the body.
3. To reduce a fracture or dislocation.
4. To treat joint pathology(s).
the traction setup must:
1. Align the distal fragment to the proximal fragment.
2. Remain constant.
3. Allow for adequate exercise and diversion.
4. Allow for optimum nursing care.
3 BASIC TYPES

1. Manual Traction
2. Skin Traction
3. Skeletal Traction
 MANUAL TRACTION

In manual traction, the hands are used to exert a pulling

force on the bone which is to be realigned.
Generally, this type of traction is reserved only for very
stable fractures or dislocations prior to splinting or
immobilization in a cast.
It also may be used prior to the application of skin or
skeletal traction or surgical reduction
 SKIN TRACTION

• The prime indication for skin traction is the

treatment of children’s fractures and adult fractures
or dislocations that require only a moderate
amount of pulling force for a relatively short period.
Certain types of children’s fractures heal in a
comparatively short time and do not require
extremely heavy tractive forces to maintain bone
alignment. Hence, the child’s skin is more able to
tolerate this type of traction than the adult’s.
 TRACTION

Advantages of skin traction

• Easy to apply
• No hazard of bone infection or
epiphyseal plate injury

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TRACTION DIFFERENT TYPE OF SKIN TRACTION

Foam traction /
TRACTION
DIFFERENT TYPE OF SKIN TRACTION

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TRACTION
DIFFERENT TYPE OF SKIN TRACTION

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fixed traction Cervical skin traction

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SKELETAL TRACTION

• Skeletal traction applies the tractive force

directly to the bone using pins, wires, screws
and, in the case of cervical traction, using tongs
or halos applied directly to the skull. Skeletal
traction allows the use of up to 20 or 30lbs. (9
or 14kg) of force for as long as three to four
months, if necessary. Moreover, it not only
exerts a longitudinal pull, but also controls
rotation.
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Skeletal traction
Achieved by inserting Kirschner wire or Steinman pin directly into the bone
TRACTION
TRACTION

The most commonly used sites for pin insertion

are :
• Upper tibia
• Femoral condyle
• Calcaneum
• Olecranon
• Skull
 TRACTION

Complication of skletal traction

• Infection:
TRACTION

predisposing factor
• Poor insertion technique
• Loosening of the pin
• Tension of the skin and subcutaneous tissues leading to ncrosis
TRACTION

• Over distraction of the bone fragments

• Nerve damage: can result from the use of heavy traction forces
• Breaking of the pins or wire