Types of Traction

What are the Types of Traction?

Traction, a therapeutic technique that involves using stretching or pulling force to apply pressure on the bones or muscles to alleviate pain, correct deformity, set a fracture or dislocation, and/or relieve muscle spasms. Traction technique differs according to the treated condition. 

Common forms of traction include the following:

1. Skin Traction

2. Skeletal Traction

3. Manual Traction

4. Mechanical Traction

5. Cervical Traction

6. Lumber Traction

7. Intermittent and continuous Traction

8. Balanced and Suspension Traction

9. Other Specialized Types

Skin Traction

Skin traction is applied to the skin using adhesive straps, bandages, or form boots attached to the skin.

By applying skin traction, the force is transmitted to the underlying muscles and bones.

Uses;

• For the short-term treatment of fractures
• muscle spasms
• joint contractures

Examples;

Buck's Traction: Commonly used for femur fractures and hip problems.

Bryant's Traction: Used in children with femur fractures.

Skeletal Traction

Skeletal traction is applied to the bones using pins, wires, or screws surgically inserted into the bone.

It applied stronger and longer-lasting traction as compared to skin traction.

Uses;

It is used for;

• Complx fractures
• Dislocations
• Preoperative alignment of long bones

Examples;

Balanced skeletal traction: It is used for the fracture of the femoral shaft.

Cervical skeletal traction: It is applied by using tongs like Gardner-Wells tongs.

Manual Traction

This type of traction is applied manually by a therapist and a clinician. This type of traction is usually short-term and applied during treatment or examination.

Uses;

It is used to;

• Reduce dislocations
• assess mobility

Examples;

Manual cervical traction during physiotherapy for neck pain.

Mechanical Traction

The mechanical traction is the use of a mechanical device or traction machine to apply continuous or intermittent pulling forces.

In this controlled force and time can be set.

Uses;

It is used for Spinal conditions such as:

• herniated discs
• spondylosis
• nerve compression

Cervical Traction

As the name indicates, this type of traction is applied to the cervical spine(neck region).

• It can be delivered through:

  • Manual traction (by therapist).

  • Mechanical devices (cervical traction machines).

  • Halter traction (head harness with weights).

Uses;

It is used for;

• Cervical spondylosis
• herniated cervical disc
• whiplash injuries

Lumber (pelvic) Traction

It is applied to the lumbar spine (lower back) using belts, pulleys, and weights.

It can be continuous or intermittent.

Uses;

It can be used for;

• Lumbar disc herniation
• nerve root compression
• chronic low back pain

Continuous and Intermittent Traction

Continuous traction: The constant pulling force applied for prolonged periods (e.g., in fracture care).

Intermittent traction: The force applied and released in cycles, often used in physiotherapy for spinal problems.

Balanced Suspension Traction

A special form of skeletal traction where weights and pulleys maintain constant alignment while allowing some patient movement.

Uses;

It is used for femoral shaft fractures before surgical fixation.

Other specialized types

• Dunlop’s traction – used for humeral fractures in children.

• Russell’s traction – for femoral and knee injuries with balanced suspension.

• Halo traction – applied to the cervical spine using a halo vest, especially in cervical spine fractures.