Traction

Question 1

What is traction?

Answer 1

Is a tensional mechanical force applied to the body in a way that separates the joint surface and elongates surrounding soft tissue

Question 2

What are the different types of traction?

Answer 2

Manual
Mechanical

Question 3

What are possible indications for traction?

Answer 3

-Disc herniation
-Joint Hypomobility
-Muscle Guarding
-Muscle Spasm
-Narrowing of intervertebral foramen
-Nerve root impingement
-Osteophyte formation
-Spinal ligament and other connective tissue contractures
-Subacute joint inflammation
-Subacute pain

Question 4

What is joint distraction?

Answer 4

Separation of two articular surfaces perpendicular to plane of articulation

Question 4

What are the effects of traction?

Answer 4

-Distract
-Reduce
-Stretch
-Relax
-Mobilize
-Gate

Question 5

What can joint distraction help with?

Answer 5

Can decrease pain related to mechanical loading of the joints or compression or spinal nerve roots as they pass through intervertebral foramina

May reduce pain from facet joint injury or nerve root compression

Question 6

How much traction force is needed for a cervical disc protrusion?

Answer 6

15 to 30 pounds
7% of BW

Question 7

How much traction force is needed for a lumbar disc protrusion?

Answer 7

60 pounds
50% - 60% of BW

Question 8

Where in the body can traction be applied?

Answer 8

-Lower extremity
-Cervical spine
-Lumbar spine
-Upper extremity

Question 9

How much force is needed to elongate soft tissue?

Answer 9

25% of BW

Question 10

What are the primary soft tissues that are elongated with spinal traction?

Answer 10

Muscle
Ligaments
Tendons
Discs

Question 11

What does intermittent traction help with?

Answer 11

Gaiting of pain transmission by stimulation of mechanoreceptors by oscillatory movements

Question 12

What does static traction help with?

Answer 12

Depression of monosynaptic response caused by stretching the muscles for several seconds

Question 13

What does joint mobilization help with?

Answer 13

Traction has been recommended as a way of mobilizing spinal and peripheral joints to increase joint mobility or decrease joint pain

Question 14

What is spinal pain with or without radiculopathy caused by?

Answer 14

Disc buldge or herniation
Nerve root impingement
Joint hypomobility
subacute joint inflammation
Paraspinal muscle spasm

Question 15

What are the hold times for spinal disc bulge or herniation?

Answer 15

60 seconds on 20 seconds off

Question 16

Why is spinal traction beneficial for a disc bulge or herniation?

Answer 16

Helps possibly decrease the size of herniation and decrease compression on nerve root

Question 17

What is nerve root impingement potentially caused by?

Answer 17

-Ligament encroachment
-Loss of disc height
-Resulting in narrowing of intervertebral foramen
-Osteophytes
-Swelling of spinal nerve root
-Spondylolisthesis

Question 18

What is the proposed mechanism of injury that results in a spinal disc protrusion?

Answer 18

Suction caused by decreased intradiscal pressure

Increasing tension of posterior longitudinal ligament at posterior part of disc thus pushing material anteriorly