Traction

Question 1

What is traction?how can it help?

Answer 1

drawing or pulling apart
pulling force is applied to
- separate joint surfaces/bone fragments
- stretch soft tissues

Question 2

Can traction be used to as a sole intervention?

Answer 2

NO!

Question 3

parameters?

Answer 3

equipment setup
body position 
force used
duration
static vs dynamic
angle of pull

Question 4

what do you check before applying traction?

Answer 4

blood pressure
skin (intact?inflammation?)
instability (C12)[Ra, down’s syndrome, marfan syndrome]

Question 5

Lumbar traction dosage?

Answer 5

Tension:
- start conservatively
- 25% of pt’s body weight is good place to start
50% BW = max amount to be used

Duration:
5-40 min (start conservatively)

Intermittent:

• 1/3 GUIDELINE: force at rest = 1/3 of that applied at “on” cycle
• tension: rest ratios can vary

Sustained:

• maintain some force throughout treatment time of about 10-30 min
• preferred over intermittent when treatment goal is muscle relaxation

Question 6

how to chose prone vs supine lumbar traction

Answer 6

Pt preference, how pt is most relaxed

supine- foraminal stenosis

Question 7

Cervical traction dosage?

Answer 7

tension:

• 10-15lbs to start
• 25lbs max
• start conservatively

duration:

• 1st session 5-10 min to assess response
• typically 10-20 min
• start conservatively

intermittent:

• more commonly used
• 1/2 GUIDELINE for off:on force
• on/rest time ratio can vary

sustained:
- practitioners will use less force and total treatment time than with intermittent
- better for muscle relaxation

Question 8

how to position pt for upper cervical spine? lower cervical spine?to target unilateral structures/symptoms?

Answer 8

• neutral
• 25-30 degrees flexion
• lateral flexion

Question 9

contraindications

Answer 9

acute trauma
malignancy
osteoporosis
joint hypermobility/instabilty
prior spinal surgeries/implants
infections of the spine
rheumatic disorders
aortic aneurysm
pregnancy (lumbar traction)
when traction increases symptoms

Question 10

precautions

Answer 10

inability to tolerate prone or supine positions
cluatrophobia or other psych aversions
TMJ or dentures with cervical harness under jaw