Traction

Question 1

What is the therapeutic effect of traction?

Answer 1

• decreased disk protrusion
• decreased pain
• increased joint mobility
• increased muscle relaxation
• increased soft tissue elasticity
• promote arterial, venous, and lymphatic flow

Question 2

What are the indications for traction?

Answer 2

• disk herniation
• joint hypomobility
• muscle guarding
• muscle spasms
• narrowing of the intervertebral foramen
• nerve root impingement
• osteophyte formation
• subacute inflammation or pain

Question 3

What are the contraindications for traction?

Answer 3

• acute inflammation, sprains, or strains
• Aortic aneurysm
• bone disease, meningitis, osteoporosis, or subluxation
• conditions which are provoked with movement or are contraindicative for movement
• dislocation or fracture or a hiatal hernia
• bone infections, tumors, or vascular conditions
• vertebral joint instability

Question 4

What are the benefits of performing lumbar traction in supine?

What are the benefits of prone?

Answer 4

Supine: greater separation of the posterior structures including facet joints and intervertebral foramen (usually for spinal stenosis)

Prone: greater separation of the anterior structures including the disk spaces (usually for disk protrusion)

Question 5

When should you use static lumbar traction?

When should you use intermittent traction?

Answer 5

Static: when patient’s symptoms are slightly aggravated with movement

Intermittent: for joint mobilization or if patient cannot tolerate static but you have to set a rest period which is usually shorter than hold periods and is 50% of the pull force during the hold period

Question 6

How much force is needed to overcome friction from the table during traction?

How much force is needed for actual separation of the vertebrae?

Answer 6

25% of bodyweight

50% of bodyweight

Question 7

What are the benefits of intermittent traction for the cervical spine?

Answer 7

may be more effective at reducing pain and increased cervical ROM

Question 8

How much force should be used for the initial cervical traction treatment session?

How much force for spasms or disk protrusion?

How much for joint distraction?

Answer 8

up to 10lbs for initial treatment

7-10% for a light stretch or treat muscle spasms and disk protrusion

13-20% for joint distraction

Question 9

How long should traction be performed?

Answer 9

evidence and research is unclear but between 5-30 minutes is typical