Tractions

Question 1

what do tractions do?

Answer 1

decreases muscle spasms, reduces/ re-allign the bones, and immobilizes the bone.

Question 2

should traction be intermittent or continuous?

Answer 2

continuous or else it is doing no good

Question 3

NEVER RELIEVE TRACTION UNLESS___

Answer 3

YOU HAVE A DOCTOR’S ORDER (the muscle will spams and may cause more injury)

Question 4

how should the weights be hung?

Answer 4

freely (they should not touch the bed, floor, or ANYTHING)

Question 5

If I have a patient with buck’s traction, and the weight is almost about to touch the floor and the patient’s head is in the middle of the bed?

Answer 5

have someone come help you. 1 of you pull the patient up in bed, while someone else lift the weights a little bit. you don’t want it pulling at the extremity while pulling the patient up.

Question 6

SIde note

why do we never want a lot of pressure under the axilla?

(the reason why crutches have to be fitted so perfectly)

Answer 6

it can destroy the brachial nerve damage *crutches need to fit 1 to 2 inches below the axilla*

Question 7

when the patient has traction, is it ok to exercise the non-immobilized joint?/ affected leg?

Answer 7

yes… as long as it doesn’t interfere with the traction

Question 8

can we have a foot board with buck’s traction?

Answer 8

no because the traction goes at the foot of the bed

Question 9

what are we using nowadays to prevent foot-drop instead of a foot board?

Answer 9

high top tennis shoes