Traction is a manual technique that applies force to separate vertebrae and elongate soft tissues in the spine. There are three grades of traction defined by how much the joint surfaces are separated. Traction can be used to restore normal joint range of motion, realign joints, reduce pain, and improve function. It is indicated for conditions like degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and compression fractures. Contraindications include acute injuries, infections, and vascular problems. The effects include muscle relaxation, relief of nerve pressure, improvement of disc problems, and increased spinal movement.

1.  NAME : MS. YUSRA SOHAIL
 TOPIC : TRACTION

2.  Traction is the application of force or a system
of forces to the spine in a way that separates or
attempts to separate the vertebrae and
elongates the surrounding soft tissues.
 Joint mobilization and traction are manual
techniques that are slow passive movements of
articulating surfaces.
 They are used to regain normal active joint
range of motion.

3.  Restore normal passive motion that occurs
about a joint.
 Reposition or realign a joint
 Regain a normal distribution of forces which
reduces pain and improve a joint function.

4.  Ketenborn's three grades of traction are defined
as follows:
 Grade 1 Traction : Traction that neutralizes
pressure in the joint without actual separation
of the joint surfaces
 Grade 2 Traction : Traction that effectively
separated the articulating surfaces
 Grade 3 Traction : Traction that involves actual
streching of the soft tissues surrounding the
joint.

5.  Following are the clinical indications :
 Degenerative disc or joint disease
 Joint Dysfunction
 Compression fracture : (chronic state) because
the elongation of the spine reduces the
compressive forces
 Herniated nucleus pulposus
 Sub acute joint pain : because gentle
mobilization the joints causes a positive neuro
physical effect.

6.  Patient with acute strain or sprain
 Patient with acute inflammation
 Pregnancy
 Spinal cord tumor
 Severe anxiety
 Active peptic ulcer
 Patient with a history of strokes or transient
ischemic stroke
 Any condition for which motion is
contraindicated ( fracture or dislocation)

7.  Patients with local and systemic diseases
affecting joints , ligaments, bone and muscle
such as tumor, infections , rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoporosis.
 Patient with vascular condition.

8.  If spinal traction is applies on case of patient
having weak musculoskeletal due to arthritis
and osteoporosis
 The structure may not be strong enough to
sustain the force of traction
 It will cause a further damage to the structure
 Patients with temporomandibular joint
dysfunction will suffer further damage
 Patient with vascular condition will experince
more resistance in the flow.

9.  Patient with acute sprain or strain will
experince delay in the healing process.

10. 1) Continous Traction : It involves light weight
applied for prolonged period of time.
2) Sustained Traction : It applies a constant amount
of force. It is used for a much shorter period of time.
3) Intermittent Mechanical Traction : Different
traction forces are applied and released. A
moderate force is applied for 30 to 60 sec. This is
referred as hold time. Then the traction force is
reduced. The reduced force of traction is applied for
10-20 seconds. Referred as rest period.

11. 4) Manual Traction : It involves the application of
manual forces on the joints of the body.
5) Intersegment Traction : It involves the
application of mechanical rollers that move up nd
down vertically.
6) Auto traction : It involves the use of a spinal
traction bencg composed of two sections. That can
be individually angulated and rotated.

12.  Effects on the Muscular system :Under the action
of traction a relaxing effect on the muscle is
produced. This effect can be enhanced by
palpating the erector muscle. This helps in the
reduction of muscualr irritation
 Effect on Nerve : Tingling is usually the first
clinical sign which indicates that there is
pressure on the nerve structure unrelived
pressure on a nerve causws slowing and
eventual loss of impulse conduction. This leads
to nerve degeneration.

13.  Effect on Disc : The mechanical tension created
by traction has an excellent effect on disc
protusions and disc related pain.
 Effect on spinal movement : Traction
encourages movement of both segments
including cervical and lumbar spine. The
amount of movement varies according to the
position of the spine, mangnitude of force and
time in which force is applied.