Mechanical Traction

Question 1

What is traction?

Answer 1

Force used to draw adjacent bone structure apart to increase their shared joint space

Question 2

List 3 effects of spinal elongation via the use of traction.

Answer 2

1. Decreased nociceptive input, mechanical stress, muscle spasm, spinal n. root compression
2. Increased mobility
3. Releases disc material or adhesions from zygo-apophyseal joint

Question 3

List 2 indications for the use of mechanical traction.

Answer 3

1. Cervical spine pain with or without radiculopathy

2. LBP with or without radiculopathy

Question 4

List 9 contraindications to traction.

Answer 4

1. Spinal tumors or bone disease
2. Infection
3. Osteoporosis
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis
5. Altered mental status
6. Painful reactions/inability to relax
7. Respiratory or cardiac insufficiency
8. Cervical segment instability/recent ligamentous injury
9. Large disc extrusion

Question 5

For lumbar traction, the spine is in a _____ position with the hips flexed to _____ degrees. Alternatively, the patient can be in a _____ or ______ position.

Answer 5

Neutral with 90 degrees of hip flexion

Prone
Lateral shift

Question 6

What load should be used for lumbar traction. Why?

Answer 6

Atleast 1/4 of BW to overcome friction

Why? Equal to BW to cause intervertebral separation

Question 7

True or False: Therapy should begin with the least amount of load possible to get the desired therapeutic effects, and then increased as necessitated.

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

True or False: One should expect greater separation in older individuals.

Answer 8

FALSE

Greater separation seen in younger individuals

Question 9

What duration of lumbar traction should be used? (2)

Answer 9

1. Begin with the least amount of time necessary to get the desired therapeutic effects
2. 10’, progressing to 30’ as necessary

Question 10

What duration of lumbar/cervical traction is needed for separation of the vertebral segments versus for muscle relaxation to occur?

Answer 10

7 seconds= amount of time for separation of vertebral segments

20+ seconds = amount of time for muscle relaxation to occur

Question 11

Continuous lumbar traction is indicated for _____ and ______. Meanwhile, intermittent may be more easy to ______ by the patient.

Answer 11

Continuous = muscle spasm and disc herniation

Intermittent may be easier to TOLERATE

Question 12

Describe the positioning for cervical traction. (2)

Answer 12

1. 20-30 degrees of flexion

2. Increased flexion targets lower cervical segments

Question 13

C/S traction addresses _____ as well as vertebral body-disc-vertebral body interface

Answer 13

FACETS

Question 14

How much load is needed during cervical traction to distract the joint surfaces?

Answer 14

20-50lbs of force needed to distract the joint surfaces

Question 15

More separation is expected in the ______ cervical segments with cervical traction.

Answer 15

LOWER

Question 16

True or False: Using continuous versus intermittent cervical traction likely has no effect on patient outcome.

Answer 16

TRUE