TRACTION

OUTCOMES

• Must be familiar with the types of mechanical

traction.• Must be familiar with the mechanical effects of

traction.• Must be familiar with the indications for

mechanical traction. • Must be familiar with the contra-indications

for mechanical traction.

OUTCOMES

• Must be familiar with the application and

technique for mechanical cervical traction.• Must be familiar with the dosage and

progression of mechanical cervical traction.• Must be familiar with the application and

technique for mechanical lumbar traction.• Must be familiar with the application and

technique for mechanical lumbar traction.

DEFINITION

• Traction is derived from the Latin word

“tractico” which means a process of drawing

or pulling.• It is used in the same way as ordinary passive

mobilisation techniques

TYPES OF TRACTION

• Continuous traction• Sustained traction• Intermittent traction• Manual traction• Auto-traction• Positional traction• 90/90 traction

TYPES OF LUMBAR TRACTION

• Inversion traction• Gravity traction• Pool traction

MECHANICAL EFFECTS

• Delordosis of the spine• Separation of the vertebrae• Widening of intervertebral foramen• Combination of distraction and gliding of

the facet joints• Stretching of spinal musculature and

ligaments• Distraction

MECHANICAL EFFECTS

• Tensing of posterior longitudinal ligament• Suction• Relaxation of spinal muscles• Joint mobilisation• Reduction of herniated nuclear material• Increase of interspinous distances• Epidural fatty tissue become prominent

MECHANICAL EFFECTS

• Small pressure changes• Normalisation of conduction• Pain relief

MECHANICAL EFFECT (SUCTION)

• Onel (1989) - negative intradiscal pressure “sucks back” the herniated nucleus material and widening of IV disc space causes a stretch on the ant and post longitudinal ligaments

MECHANICAL EFFECT (SUCTION)

• Krause (2000) negates this statement

CLINICAL EFFECTS OF TRACTION

• Remains controversial• Produced from combination of mechanical

and physiological effects

INDICATIONS

• Severe nerve root pain• Recent neurological changes• Degenerative conditions• Widely distributed areas of thoracic and

lumbar pain• Pathological

• Trauma to ligaments• Spondilolisthesis and spondilolysis• No further improvement with mobilisation• Lumbar conditions where movements are

painless during objective evaluation

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

• Resent onset of severe lumbar pain• Hypermobility or instability• Undiagnosed pain• Persistent cough• Cardio-vascular conditions• Spinal malignancy

• Cord compression• Spinal infection• Hiatal hernia• Uncontrolled hypertension• Aortic aneurysm• Abdominal hernia• Severe haemorrhoids

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

• Inadequate investigation• Acute traumatic lesions• Large central disc• Ileofemoral incompetency• Uncooperative patient• Marked ligamentous insufficiency and

segmental instability

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

• Dizzy, nauseated and sick after first careful attempt - cervical

• Vertebrobasilar insufficiency• Patient unable to relax - cervical• Appreciable involuntary head or neck

movements - cervical

TRACTION FORCE NEEDEDResearcher Weight

(traction force)

Maitland < 13 kg for first timeAverage weight between 30 kg and 45 kg

Cyriax 40 kg to 85 kg

Grieve 13 kg to 34 kg

Hicklings 32 kg to 68 kg

APPLICATION OF TRACTION

PRONE

SUPINE

PRONE INTO FLEXION

UNILATERAL

TREATMENT DURATION

Researcher Weight Time

Saunders (1995:286) Few min to 40 min

Onel, et al. (1987:82) 45 kg 40 min

Maitland (2001:376) Determine by dummy-trial

Not exceeding 10 for 1st time, duration not exceed 15 min

Cyriax (Harte, et al. 2003:1543)

30 – 45 min

Hicklings (Harte, et al. 2003:1543)

20 – 40 min with average 30 min

Grieve (Harte, et al. 2003:1543)

10 min initial treatment; 15 min thereafter

UPPER CERVICAL TRACTION

• Upper cervical area • C1-C4• Neutral position

UPPER CERVICAL TRACTION

LOWER CERVICAL TRACTION

• Lower cervical area• C4-T1• Neck in flexion using pillows or towel roll

METHOD

• Patient lies with two pillows under his knees

• Apply gentle traction via spreader bar• Know the area and severity of patient’s pain• Trial-run for 10 seconds• Re-assess the symptoms

PROGRESSION

• Applied daily• Test neck movements directly after traction

except with severe nerve root pain• Time should be increased first• Strength can be increased in small stages• Treatment usually 15 minutes• Severe nerve root: 30 minutes

PROGRESSION

• Stop traction if no improvement after 4-5 treatments

• Severe nerve root pain sometimes at least 7-8 treatments, but

• Movement test must improve by 4th to 5th session

• NB: Carefully assess signs and symptoms before, during and after treatment

UPPER LUMBAR TRACTION

• L1-L4• Neutral position

UPPER LUMBAR TRACTION

LOWER LUMBAR TRACTION

• L4-S1• Patient positioned in Fowler’s position

(Thomas-curl position)

LOWER LUMBAR TRACTION

LUMBAR TRACTION

• Attach the thoracic harness in standing and re-adjust in supine

• Assess area and degree of pain before pull• Knees flexed over pillows to put joint in

mid-position• Trial run

LUMBAR TRACTION

• 12,5 kg to 13 kg for 10 seconds• Arms by side• Reduce if patient experiences low back pain• Re-assess back and leg symptoms after 10-

20 seconds

DURING RELEASE

• Rolling pelvis side to side• Rest for a few minutes• NB: Do not test patients comparable sign

immediately only re-assess following day• Warn patient

PROGRESSION

• Pain less or gone = improvement• Signs and symptoms worse• Signs and symptoms ISQ• Over 3-4 sessions improvement will be

small• If signs improve - increase time first• With no exacerbation - increase kg

REMEMBER

• There is often a postural component involved with disorders of the lumbar spine

RULE OF PROCEDURE (Grieve, 1989)

• Bear in mind contra-indications• Examine thoroughly • Try and localise the problem• Keep treatment under control by frequent

reassessment and precise recording• Each step should be reasoned• Modify techniques which are unproductive

RULE OF PROCEDURE (Grieve, 1989)

• Warn patient about treatment soreness• Do not over treat• Never push through spasm• Treat joint irritability with respect

TREATMENT PROTOCOL

• Teach spinal stabilisation• Dynamic maintenance of postural control• Patient reassurance• Ergonomic advice• Mechanical principles involved• Restoration of maximal patient function• Pain control

TREATMENT PROTOCOL

• To educate patient• To maintain lumbar muscles• Combination of treatments• Back school• Strengthening exercises

TREATMENT PROTOCOL

• Flexibility exercises• Fitness• Total bedrest• Encouragement to function despite

symptoms• Corset• Lumbar intervertebral traction