Traction
Types of traction
The two main types of traction are skin traction and skeletal traction.
Skin traction
Skin traction is usually carried outwhile a person is lying in a hospital bed. It uses equipment such as splints, bandages and adhesive tape that are attached to weights.
A pulling force is applied through soft tissues, such asthe skin, muscles and tendons. The affected area of the bodyis pulled in line using a pulley system attached to the bed.
Skeletal traction
Skeletal traction is used when a greater force needs to be applied. The force is applied directly to the skeleton, which means additional weight can be addedwithout the risk of damaging the surrounding soft tissues.
The skin can usually support up to 3.5kg (8lb), whereas the skeleton can support up to 12kg (25lb).
During skeletal traction, pins, wires or screws are surgically inserted into the bone. This can be carried out using either a local anaesthetic or a general anaesthetic .
After the pins, wiresor screws have been inserted, weights are attachedto them so that the affected body part canbe pulled into the correct position.
The length of time skeletal traction needs to be used for will depend on how badlyinjured the bones are.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Traction is where weights, ropes and pulleys are used to apply force to tissues surrounding a broken bone.
When traction is used
There areseveral situations when traction may be used. For example, it may be used to: realign and fix bone fractures, such as a broken leg helpreduce painbefore surgery treat bone deformities cau
Types of traction
The two main types of traction are skin traction and skeletal traction. Skin traction Skin traction is usually carried outwhile a person is lying in a hospital bed. It uses equipment such as splints
Does traction work?
Traction is effective in providing temporary pain relief in the early stages of treatment after trauma. For long-term (chronic) conditions,there's little scientific evidence to support the use of trac
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products