Traction (orthopedics) : Clinical essentials

📌 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦:-   / drgbhanuprakash  

What Is Traction?

In the medical field, traction refers to the practice of slowly and gently pulling on a fractured or dislocated body part. It’s 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 it’s a preparation for a more definitive procedure or the only surgery that’ll be done to allow the bone to heal.

Skeletal traction is most commonly used to treat fractures of the femur, or thighbone. It’s 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, it’s usually used as a temporary way to stabilize a broken bone until the definitive surgery is performed.

Cervical Traction
---------------------------
During cervical traction, a metal brace is placed around your neck. The brace is then attached to a body harness or weights, which are used to help correct the affected area. Cervical traction is performed using a general anesthetic, so you’ll be asleep throughout the entire procedure.

Cervical traction might be used in two different situations. First, it may be done to gently stretch the neck muscles so muscle spasms can be relieved or prevented. It may also be performed to immobilize the spine after a neck injury.

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 doesn’t allow for much movement after surgery, so the recovery time is often much longer. Today, it’s 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. It’s 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.

#traction #orthopedics #orthopedicsurgery #orthopedic #orthopedicdoctor #orthopedicshortcase #orthopedicvideos #usmle #usmlestep1 #usmlevideos #nationalexittest #neetpg #usmlepreparation #mbbs #nationalexitexam #mbbslectures #fmge #clinicalessentials #step2ck #usmlestudents #medicalstudent #medicalstudents #medicalstudentsmotivationvideo #medicalstudies #medicallectures #medicalelearning #medicaleducation #medicalcollege #nmc #neetpg #cme