Skeletal and Skin Traction

What is Traction?
Traction refers to the practice of
slowly and gently pulling on a
fractured or dislocated body part.
It’s often done using ropes,
pulleys, and weights. These
tools help apply force to the
tissues surrounding the
damaged area.
 The purpose of traction is to guide the body part back into
place and hold it steady. Traction may be used to:

Stabilize and realign bone fractures, such as a broken arm

or leg
01

Treat bone deformities caused by certain conditions, such

02

as scoliosis

Correct stiff and constricted muscles, joints, and tendons

03

Stretch the neck and prevent painful muscle spasms

04
05
 Essential Materials for Traction
01 Firm mattress or a bed board. Facility to elevate the head end and foot
end of the bed.
.

02 An overhead frame, trapeze, and side rails to shift the position of the
patient. .

Bars, pulleys, weight hangers, skeletal traction apparatus and plaster

03
cast materials.
 Types of Traction

Skeletal Traction Skin Traction

 Skin
Traction
 SKIN TRACTION

Skin traction is far less invasive than skeletal traction. It

involves applying splints, bandages, or adhesive tapes to the
skin directly below the fracture. Once the material has been
applied, weights are fastened to it. The affected body part is
then pulled into the right position using a pulley system
attached to the hospital bed.
METHODS OF APPLYING
SKIN TRACTION 

1. Adhesive Skin
Traction
PowerPoint
Presentation

2. Non-adhesive Skin
Traction
 Adhesive
Adhesive skin traction has been
discontinued because the adhesive
material used causes many
complications. The maximum weight
that can be attached with skin traction
is 6.7 kg but should be individualized.
Non- • This consists of lengths of soft, ventilated
latex foam rubber, laminated into a strong
adhesive cloth backing.
• These are useful in thin and atrophic skin
or when there is sensitivity to adhesive
strapping. It is applied in similar fashion as
adhesive skin traction
• As the grip is less secure, frequent
reapplication may be necessary
• Attached traction weight should not be
more than 4.5kg (10 lbs)
Buck’s Traction
Common Skin
Hamilton Russell Traction
Tulloch Brown Traction
Traction
Gallow’s/ Brayant’s Traction
Modified Brayan’s Traction
Buck’s Traction

• Often used
preoperatively for
femoral fractures
• Can use tape
• No more than 5
kgs
Hamilton Russell
Traction
• Below knee skin
traction is applied
• A broad soft sling
is placed under
the knee
Tulloch Brown Traction

• Steinman pin through the proximal tibia

• Support legs on slings suspended from
light duralumin U-loop which is slipped
over the ends of Steinman pin
• Attach the Nissen stirrup to the Steinman
pin it enables leg to be suspended and
rotation of movements controlled.
Gallow’s or Bryant’s Traction

• The treatment of fracture shaft femur in

children up to age of 2 yrs.
• Weight of child should be less than 15-
18kg. Tie the traction to the over head
beam.
Modified Bryant’s Traction

• Sometimes used as an initial

management of developmental
dysplasia of hip (1 yr)
• By three weeks hips should be fully
abducted.