What Is Traction?

In the medical field, traction refers to the practice of slowly and gently pulling on a fractured or dislocated body part. Its
often done using ropes, pulleys, and weights. These tools help apply force to the tissues surrounding the damaged area.

The purpose of traction is to guide the body part back into place and hold it steady. Traction may be used to:

stabilize and realign bone fractures, such as a broken arm or leg

help reduce the pain of a fracture before surgery

treat bone deformities caused by certain conditions, such as scoliosis

correct stiff and constricted muscles, joints, tendons, or skin

stretch the neck and prevent painful muscle spasms

What Are the Different Types of Traction?

The two main types of traction are skeletal traction and skin traction. The type of traction used will depend on the
location and the nature of the problem.

Skeletal Traction

Skeletal traction involves placing a pin, wire, or screw in the fractured bone. After one of these devices has been
inserted, weights are attached to it so the bone can be pulled into the correct position. This type of surgery may
be done using a general, spinal, or local anesthetic to keep you from feeling pain during the procedure.

The amount of time needed to perform skeletal traction will depend on whether its a preparation for a more
definitive procedure or the only surgery thatll be done to allow the bone to heal.

Skeletal traction is most commonly used to treat fractures of the femur, or thighbone. Its also the preferred
method when greater force needs to be applied to the affected area. The force is directly applied to the bone,
which means more weight can be added with less risk of damaging the surrounding soft tissues.

Skin Traction

Skin traction is far less invasive than skeletal traction. It involves applying splints, bandages, or adhesive tapes to
the skin directly below the fracture. Once the material has been applied, weights are fastened to it. The affected
body part is then pulled into the right position using a pulley system attached to the hospital bed.

Skin traction is used when the soft tissues, such as the muscles and tendons, need to be repaired. Less force is
applied during skin traction to avoid irritating or damaging the skin and other soft tissues. Skin traction is rarely
the only treatment needed. Instead, its usually used as a temporary way to stabilize a broken bone until the
definitive surgery is performed.
What Happens After Traction?

If youre treated with traction, youll probably need to participate in an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program.
These programs often consist of physical and occupational therapy to help you regain your strength and relearn skills
that may have been affected by your injury. A therapist can also teach you new skills to compensate for any pain,
weakness, or paralysis you may have experienced as a result of being injured.

The first few days after traction is performed can be difficult. The muscles are often weak since you must spend a lot of
time in bed after traction is performed. Moving around and walking may be challenging and can make you tired.
However, its important to stick with any rehabilitation program so that you can improve your chances of making a
complete recovery.

What Are the Risks of Traction?

There are risks involved in all surgical procedures. These risks include:

an adverse reaction to the anesthesia

excessive bleeding
an infection of the pin site
damage to the surrounding tissue
nerve injury or vascular injury from too much weight being applied

Its important to contact your doctor if:

the prescribed medications arent relieving your pain

the skin around the pin site becomes red, hot, or swollen
theres drainage

Is Traction an Effective Treatment?

Traction used to be considered a state-of-the-art treatment. In recent years, however, other surgical techniques have
become more advanced and more effective in correcting fractures, damaged muscles, and spinal conditions. Traction
also doesnt allow for much movement after surgery, so the recovery time is often much longer. Today, its used
primarily as a temporary measure until the definitive procedure is done. Traction saved many lives during World War II
by allowing soldiers to be transported safely without injury to their surrounding tissues.

However, traction can be beneficial in treating certain conditions. Its very effective in providing temporary pain relief in
the early stages of treatment after trauma.

You and your doctor can discuss whether traction is the best option for your particular condition.
What Is a Splint?

A splint is a piece of medical equipment used to keep an injured body part from moving and to protect it from any
further damage.

A splint is often used to stabilize a broken bone while the injured person is taken to the hospital for more advanced
treatment. It can also be used if you have a severe strain or sprain in one of your limbs. Placed properly, a splint will help
ease the pain of an injury by making sure that the wounded area does not move.

If you or a loved one is injured at home or during an activity, such as hiking, you can create a temporary splint from
materials around you.

Indications for Splinting

Acute arthritis, including acute gout

Severe contusions and abrasions

Skin lacerations that cross joints

Tendon lacerations

Tenosynovitis

Puncture wounds/bites to the hands, feet, and joints

Fractures and sprains

Reduced joint dislocations

What Is a Splint?

A splint is a piece of medical equipment used to keep an injured body part from moving and to protect it from any
further damage.

A splint is often used to stabilize a broken bone while the injured person is taken to the hospital for more advanced
treatment. It can also be used if you have a severe strain or sprain in one of your limbs. Placed properly, a splint will help
ease the pain of an injury by making sure that the wounded area does not move.

Indications for Splinting

Acute arthritis, including acute gout

Severe contusions and abrasions

Skin lacerations that cross joints

Tendon lacerations

Tenosynovitis

Puncture wounds/bites to the hands, feet, and joints

Fractures and sprains

Reduced joint dislocations

Splinting Equipment

Stockinette

Splinting material

Plaster

Strips or rolls (2-, 3-, 4- or 6-inch widths)

Prefabricated Splint Rolls

Plaster

Fiberglass with polypropylene padding (at CMH)

Padding (Webril)

Ace Wrap

Bucket/receptacle of warm water

Trauma sheers

Plaster Preparation

Length: Measure out the dry splint at the extremity to be splinted

remember the plaster shrinks slightly when wet, if too long, the ends can be folded back

Use plaster width that is slightly greater than the diameter of the limb

Can be measured on the contralateral extremity to avoid excessive manipulation of the injured
extremity

Thickness:

UE: 8-10 layers

LE 10-12 layers
General Splinting Procedure

Measure and prepare the plaster

Apply the stockinette so that it extends 2 or 3 inches beyond the plaster

Apply 2 or 3 layers of Webril over the area to be splinted

Be generous

Avoid wrinkles

Place extra padding around bony prominences

Place Webril between digits that are going to be splinted to avoid maceration

Wet the plaster and place it over the area to be splinted

Submerge the premeasured plaster in unused warm water

Remove the splint from the water and squeeze out the excess water and remove wrinkles

Fold the ends of stockinette over the the plaster to smooth the edges of the splint

Place a layer of Webril over the plaster

Apply the ace wrap around the splint to secure it in place

Unwrap the bandage without placing too much tension around the extremity

While still wet, mold the plaster to conform to the shape of the extremity

Use the palms of your hand rather than the fingers

Place the patients extremity in the position desired

Keep the patient still until the splint has dried and hardened (the plaster will become warm as its
drying)

Fast-drying: 5-8 minutes

Extra-fast drying: 2-4 minutes

After the splint has dried, check the splinted extremity for function, arterial pulse, capillary refill, temperature of
skin, and sensation