Traction

Question 1

effects of spinal traction

Answer 1

• -joint distraction
• reduction of disc protrusion
• soft tissue stretching
• muscle relaxation
• joint mobilization
• patient immobilization

Question 2

joint distraction

Answer 2

• separation of two articular joint surfaces perpendicular to the plane of the articulation
• widening of the neuroforamina
• separation of zygoapophyseal joints/facet joints
• need about 50% of body weight for effective traction

Question 3

reduction of disc protrusion

Answer 3

• traction is the treatment of choice for small nuclear protrusions
• repositioning of disc fragment
• suction effect
• best in prone 60-120 lbs of force for reduction
• not successful with large herniations that fill the spinal canal or for calcifies disc protrusions

Question 4

traction for soft tissue stretching

Answer 4

• moderate load with a prolonged force
• stretching of soft tissue happens during joint distraction
• may contribute to improved range of motion

Question 5

traction for muscle relaxation

Answer 5

• relaxation of the paraspinal muscles
• reduced pressure on pain sensitive structures
• gating put pain due mechanoreceptors stimulation
• interruption of pain-spasm - pain cycle

-better effects in prone than in supine

Question 6

traction for joint mobilization

Answer 6

• high force traction for joint mobility stretching surrounding soft tissues
• low-mod intermittent force for gating ut pain due to the repetitive oscillatory motion
• generalized mobilization technique for spine mobility

Question 7

indications for traction

Answer 7

• disc bulge
• nerve root impingement
• spinal stenosis
• facet joint hypomobility
• subacute joint inflammation
• paraspinal muscle spasm

Question 8

traction for subacute joint inflammation

Answer 8

• reducing the pain and limitations of function associated with subacute joint inflammation
• the force of static traction can be used to reduce the pressure on inflamed joint surfaces. acute or chronic state
• the forces of intermittent traction may ‘gate’ out chronic pain. NOT used in acute states of injury

Question 9

Lumbar traction

- initial/acute

Answer 9

Position: supine
Force: 13-20kg. 29-44lbs
Hold/relax: static
total time 5-10 min

Question 10

lumbar traction

- joint distraction

Answer 10

• Position supine
• Force: 22.5 kg 50lbs. 50% of body weight
• hold/relax times: 15/15
• total time: 20-30 min

Question 11

lumbar traction

- decrease muscle spasm

Answer 11

• Prone
• force: 25% of body weight
• hold/relax time 5/5
• time: 20-30 min

Question 12

lumbar traction

- disc problem or soft tissue stretch

Answer 12

• prone
• 25% body weight
• 60/20
• 20-30min

Question 13

cervical traction

- initial /acute

Answer 13

• supine
• 3-4kg (7-9lbs)
• static
• 5-10 min

Question 14

cervical traction

- joint distraction

Answer 14

-supine
- 9-13kg (20-29 lbs) 7% of body weight
-15/15
20-30 min

Question 15

cervical traction

-decrease muscle spasm

Answer 15

• supine
• 5-7 kg (11-15lbs)
• 5/5
• 20/30

Question 16

cervical traction

-disc problems or soft tissue stretch

Answer 16

• supine
• 5-7kg (11-15lbs)
• 60/20
• 20-30 min