orthopedic tractions system

1. NUR FARRA NAJWA BINTI ABDUL AZIM
082015100035

2. At the end of seminar student should be able to
 Define what is traction
 Undertand the principle of traction and counter-
traction
 Know the different type of traction
 Describe each type of traction
 Know the disadvantages and complication of
traction
 List the specific traction system and their uses

3. Application of pulling force to the
parts of body

4.  The set of mechanisms for straightening broken
bones or relieving pressure on the spine and skeletal
system.
 Applied to the limb distal to the fracture
 This is particularly useful for shaft fractures
 Pull a long bone straight and hold it out to length.
 Patient can move the joints and exercise the
muscles.

6.  Traction is safe
 Speed is the problem
 Replaced by bracing, as soon as the fracture
is ‘sticky’ (deformable but not displaceable),

7. 1. Reduction of fracture and dislocation and its
maintenance
2. Immobilize stiff and painful joint
3. Prevent deformity
4. Correction of soft tissue contracture
5. Relieve pressure on nerve
6. Regain normal length and alignment of
involved bone

8.  Counter traction must be used to achieve
effective traction
Counter traction is force acting opposite to
traction
 Usually patient body weight and bed position
adjustment supply the need of counter
traction

10. TYPE OF
TRACTION
Based on
Mechanism
Fixed
traction
Sliding
traction
Based on
Method
Skin
traction
Skeletal
traction

11. TRACTION TYPE
Fixed
Counter traction by
part of body
Eg. Thomas splint
Sliding
Counter traction by
weight of body
Eg. Hamilton-
russel traction and
perkin traction

13. TRACTION
METHOD
Skin traction
Adhesive strap
on skin
Traction force transmitted from
skin to deep fascia and
intermuscular septa to bone
Skeletal
traction
Directly applied to
bone
Using K-wire or
Steinmann pin
through bone

15. POINT SKIN TRACTION SKELETAL TRACTION
Required for Mild to moderate force Moderate to severe
force
Age used child Adult
Applied with Adhesive strap Kwire, steinmann pin
Applied on skin Bone
Common use Below knee Upper tibial pin
traction
Weight permitted Up to 3- 4kg Up tp 20 kg
Used for Short duration Long duration

16.  Whether by skin or skeletal traction, the
fracture is reduced and held in one of three
ways:
◦ Fixed traction
◦ Balanced traction
◦ Combination of the two..

17. FIXED TRACTION
The pull is exerted
against a fixed point.
Tie the traction cords to
the distal end of a
Thomas’ splint and pull
the leg down until the
proximal,

18. BALANCED TRACTION
Traction cords are
guided over pulleys
and loaded with
weights
Counter-traction by
the weight of the body
when the foot of the
bed is raised

19. COMBINED TRACTION
If a Thomas’ splint is used,
the tapes are tied to the end
of the splint and the entire
splint is then suspended, as
in balanced traction.

20.  Prolonged hospital stay (costly)
 Prolonged bed stay and its complication
 Continuous nursing care
 Development of contracture

21.  Circulatory embarrassment
 Pin site infection

22. 1. Traction should be comfortable
2. Proper functioning of traction unit
◦ Traction weight not touching ground
◦ Ropes in grooves
◦ Foot end of patient not touching pulleys
◦ End of traction should not be touching
pulley

23. 1. Terminal limb warm, normal color, normal
sensation (numbness and tingling point to
traction palsy)
2. Swelling of finger and toes point to tight
bandage or slip skin traction
3. Pin tract infection (pain on tapping site of
pin insertion)
4. Proper positioning by taking check x ray in
traction

24. 1. Physiotherapy of limb
2. Careful watch on general complication of
recumbency
3. Diversion theraphy

26.  Define what is traction
 Undertand the principle of traction and
counter-traction
 Know the different type of traction
 Describe each type of traction
 Know the disadvantages and complication of
traction
 List the specific traction system and their
uses

27.  Apley & Solomon’s System of Orthopaedics
and Trauma 10th Edition. (2017). Fracture
and Joint Injuries, Continuous Tractions 697-
698. doi:10.4324/9781315118192
 Maheshwari, J. (2011). Essential
Orthopaedics. Splint and Traction,
Tractions 26-28.
doi:10.5005/jp/books/12250