Mechanical Traction/Compression Therapy Flashcards
Define traction
- a mechanical force applied to the body in a way that separates the joint surfaces & elongates the surrounding soft tissues
- longitudinal pull
Define distraction
- is applied at a right angle to the opposing joint surface
How do you applied more traction to the lower cervical spine
- increase neck flexion
Indications for mechanical traction
- cervical herniated nucleus pulposus
- radiculopathy
- sprain/strain
- zygapophyseal joint syndromes
- myofascial pain symptoms in the neck
- increase neck muscle spasm/guarding
Overall effects of mechanical traction
- joint distraction
- reduction of disc protrusion
- soft tissue stretching
- muscle relaxation
- joint mobilization
Contraindications for cervical & lumbar mechanical traction
- where motion is contraindicated
- acute injury or inflammation
- joint hyper mobility or instability
- peripheralization of symptoms with traction
- uncontrolled hypertension
What are the 3 contraindications for joint mobilizations
- hypermobility
- joint effusion
- inflammation
How many mechanical traction treatments should it take to see improvements in symptoms
- within 2-3 treatments
What is the optimal angle of pull for cervical traction
- 20-30 degrees
Parameters for initial/acute phase traction
Force: 7-9 lbs
Hold/Relax times: static
Treatment time: 5-10 minutes
Parameters for joint distraction traction
Force: 20-30 lbs
Hold/Relax times: 15/15 sec
Treatment time: 20-30 minutes
How much force for traction do you start with initially
- start at 8-10 lbs & increase to 7% of the patient’s body weight
Effects of external compression
- improves venous & lymphatic circulation
- limits the shape & size of tissue
- increases tissue temperature
Causes of edema
- imbalance between hydrostatic & osmotic pressure inside & outside the vessels
- venous or lymphatic obstruction or insufficiency
- increased capillary permeability
- immobility
- pregnancy
- systemic diseases (DO NOT TREAT WITH COMPRESSION)
Multilayered compression is more effective than single layer (true/false)
- True
Indications for compression
- venous stasis ulcers
- DVT prevention
- residual limb shaping after amputation
- control of hypertrophic scarring
What compression parameters are recommended to reduce height of hypertrophic scarring
- compression of 20-30 mmHg for 23 hours
Contraindications for compression therapy
- heart failure/pulmonary edema
- recent or acute DVT
- obstructed lymphatic or venous return
- severe PAD
- acute local skin infection
- significant hypoproteinemia
- acute trauma/fracture
- arterial revascularization
Precautions for compression therapy
- impaired sensation or mentation
- uncontrolled hypertension
- cancer
- stroke/significant cerebrovascular insufficiency
- superficial peripheral nerves
Describe short stretch bandages
- develop high working pressure (30-90% stretch)
- works well for walking around but not for laying in the bed
Describe long stretch bandages
- develop high resting pressure (100-200% stretch)
Define working pressure
- active pressure
- tissue pushing against inelastic bandage
Define resting pressure
- passive pressure
- elastic bandage is pushing on resting tissue
Edema, DVT prevention, & venous stasis ulcer parameters for Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC)
Inflation/Deflation time: 80-100 sec
Inflation pressure: 30-60 UE & 40-80 LE
Treatment time: 2-3 hours
Residual limb reduction parameters for Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC)
Inflation/Deflation time: 40-60 sec
Inflation pressure: 30-60 UE & 40-80 LE
Treatment time: 2-3 hours
