TRACTION

TRACTION

 Traction is force applied in a specific

direction. To apply the force needed to
overcome the natural force or pull of the
muscle groups, a system of ropes,
pulleys and weights is used.
 Purposes of Traction
 To reduce and immobilize a fracture.
 To restore the normal alignment of an
injured extremity.
 To lessen or eliminate the spasm.
 To prevent deformity
 To give the patient freedom for “in bed”
activities.
 To reduce pain.
 Types of Traction
Running traction
 A form of traction which the pull is exerted on one
plane.
 May use either skin or skeletal traction
 Buck’s extension traction is an example of running
skin traction.

Balanced Skeletal Traction

 Uses additional weights to counterbalance the
traction and float the extremity in the traction
apparatus.
 The line of pull on the extremity remains fairly
constant despite changes in the patient’s position.
RUNNING TRACTION
(Buck’s extension traction)
Balanced-skeletal Traction
 Application of Traction

 Traction may be applied to the skin or

skeletal system.
 Skin Traction
 Accompanied by applying a light force that pull on tape,
sponge rubber, or special device (boot, cervical halter,
pelvic belt) that is in contact with the skin.

 The pulling force is transmitted to the musculoskeletal

structures.

 Skin traction is used as a temporary measure in adults to

control muscle spasm and pain.

 It is used before surgery in the treatment of hip fracture

(Buck’s extension) and femoral shaft fractures (Russsel’s
traction).

 Pelvic and cervical traction are used for the treatment of

back disorders or injuries. Skin traction may be used
definitively to treat fractures in children.
Skin Traction

applying a light force that pull on tape,

sponge rubber, or special device (boot,
cervical halter, pelvic belt) that is in
contact with the skin.

 Skin Traction Kit

 Skeletal Traction
 This term refers to traction applied by
an orthopedic surgeon under aseptic
conditions using wires, pins, or tongs
placed through bones.

 Skeletal traction is used most frequently

in treating fractures of the femur,
humerus (supracondylar fractures),
tibia, and cervical spine.
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 Balanced suspension
traction
- is used to stabilize
fractures of the femur.
- a pin or wire is
surgically placed
through the distal end
of the femur
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 Skull tongs
- are used to
immobilize the
cervical spine in the
treatment of
unstable fractures
or dislocation of the
cervical spine.   Gardner-Wills tong

Crutchfield tong
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 Halo traction
 -provides
stabilization and
support for
fractured cervical
vertebrae
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 Bryant's traction is mainly used in young
children who have fractures of
the femur or congenital abnormalities of the
hip. Both the patient's limbs are suspended in
the air vertically at a ninety degree angle from
the hips and knees slightly flexed. Over a
period of days, the hips are gradually moved
outward from the body using a pulley system.
The patient's body provides the countertraction.
Bryant’s Traction
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 BUCK’S TRACTION one of the most
common orthopedic mechanisms by which
pull is exerted on the lower extremity with a
system of ropes, weights, and pulleys. Buck's
traction, which may be unilateral or bilateral,
is used to immobilize, position, and align the
lower extremity in the treatment of
contractures and diseases of the hip and
knee.
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 RUSSELL’S TRACTION - a unilateral or
a bilateral orthopedic mechanism that
combines suspension and traction to
immobilize, position, and align the lower
extremities in the treatment of fractured
femurs, hip and knee contractures, and
disease processes of the hip and knee. 
Russell’s Traction
Types of Skeletal Tractions
 Dunlop skeletal traction,an orthopedic
mechanism that helps immobilize the upper
arm in the treatment of contracture or
supracondylar fracture of the elbow. The
mechanism uses a system of traction
weights, pulleys, and ropes and may be
accompanied by skin traction. Dunlop
skeletal traction is usually applied unilaterally
but may also be applied bilaterally.
Dunlop skeletal traction
 Complications
 Infection of pin tracts in skeletal traction
 Skin breakdown and dermatitis under skin
traction
 Complication of immobility
 Statis pneumonia
 Thrombophlebitis
 Pressure ulcers
 Urinary infection and calculi
 Constipation
 Nursing Diagnoses
 Impaired physical mobility related to
traction therapy and underlying
pathology
 Risk for impaired skin integrity related to
pressure on soft tissues
 Risk for infection related to bacterial
invasion at the skeletal site
 Altered peripheral tissue perfusion
related to injury or traction therapy
NURSING MANAGEMENT
 When assisting with a.m. and p.m.
 care, encourage the patient to do as
much for himself as
is possible within the constraints of 
his immobilization. Assist with or
perform those tasks that the patient 
cannot perform.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
  keep
traction from being compromised and
observe for complications

 When assisting with the bedpan or 
urinal, provide adequate time and 
privacy for the patient.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
  Check daily to see
whether the patient has had a bowel
 movement. Treating constipation will prevent
 the more serious problem of fecal impaction. 
Physicians will routinely prescribe a stool
softener for immobilized patients in order to 
prevent constipation.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Encourage the patient to eat all of the
 prescribed diet. If permitted by the
physician, suggest that family and friends
 bring fruit or a "healthy" favorite food 
from home.
NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Assist the patient to take several deep
 breaths each hour. Coughing and
deep breathing will help prevent respiratory 
complications. Encourage the patient to
actively exercise the unaffected extremities
NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Eliminate any factors that reduce 
the traction pull or alter its 
direction. Ropes
and pulleys should be
in straight alignment and the rope
s should be unobstructed