Traction
A mechanical force applied to the body in a way that separates the joint surfaces and elongates surrounding sort tissue
Types of Traction
- Mechanically
- Manually
Effects of Spinal Traction
- reduce protrusions of nuclear dismal material
- stretch soft tissue
- relax mm
- mobilize joints
- decrease pain
- joint distraction
Joint Distraction
The separation of two articulate surfaces perpendicular to the plane of the articulation
25% of Body Weight for distraction does what?
Is sufficient to increase the length of the lumbar spine
50% of body weight for distraction does what?
Is the specific weight for distraction to be accomplished
What is the treatment of choice for small nuclear protrusions?
Traction
Traction is more effective for large or small disc herniations?
Small Disc Herniations
Traction is most effective when applied soon/later after discal injury?
Soon
Clinical Indications for the use of Spinal Traction
- Disc bulge / Herniation
- nerve root impingement
- joint hypomobility
- subacute joint inflammation
- paraspinal mm spasm
Contraindications of Traction
- where motion is contraindicated
- acute injury or inflammation
- joint hypermobility or instability
- peripheralization or symptoms with traction
- uncontrolled hypertension
Precaution for Spinal Traction
- TMJ problems
- dentures
Precautions of Traction
- structural diseases or conditions affecting the spine (tumor, infection, RA, osteoporosis)
- when pressure of the belts may be hazardous (pregnancy, hiatal hernia, vascular compromise, osteoporosis)
- displaced annular fragment
- medical disc protrusion
- when severe pain fully resolves with traction
- claustrophobia or other psychological aversion to traction
- inability to tolerate the prone or supine position
- disorientation
Advantages of Mechanical Traction
- force and time well controlled, readily graded, and replicable
- once applied, does not require the clinician to be with the pt throughout treatment
- electrical mechanical traction units allow the application of static or intermittent traction
- static take home units are cheap and easy to use
Disadvantages of Mechanical Traction
- expensive electrical mechs animal devices
- time consuming to setup
- lack of pt control or participation
- restriction by belts or halter poorly tolerated by some pts
- mobilizes broad regions of the spine rather than individual spinal segments, potentially inducing hypermobility in normal hypermobility joints
