Cervical Traction Chapter 17 © 2005

Cervical Traction Tension must overcome weight of skull Approximately 8.1% of total body weight 14 pounds Tension: Supine and Seated Supine: Approximately 7% of body weight (10 lbs) Reclined: Approximately 20% of body weight (24 lbs) Treatment Time Depends on the pathology Approximately 5 to 20 Use comfort as a guide © 2005

Indications Degenerative disc disease Nerve root compression Disc herniation Muscle spasm Osteoarthritis or facet joint inflammation Capsulitis of vertebral joints Pathology of anterior or posterior longitudinal ligaments © 2005

Contraindications Pain of unknown origin Acute injury Unstable spinal segments Cancer, meningitis, or other spinal cord/ vertebrae disease Vertebral fracture Extruded disc fragments © 2005

Mechanical Traction Wall or door-mounted traction Sitting or Prone Uses water bags, sand bags, or weight plates © 2005

Mechanical Traction Mandibular-occipital harness Occipital harness Places pressure on the TMJ which may cause discomfort Occipital harness Forcse on skull’s occipital bone Can be used to place spine in varying degress © 2005

Mechanical Traction Application Assess body weight Remove material that may interfere with halter Adjust halter accordingly Bilateral = midline of body Secure and connect halter Align angle of pull to correspond with the specific pathology Give patient Safety Switch Explain treatment © 2005

Initiation of Treatment Set controls to zero and turn on unit Remove slack Adjust Ratio Normally 3:1 or 4:1 Tension Approximately 10 pounds or 7% of body weight First exposure use lower tension Duration Corresponding to pathology © 2005

Termination of Treatment Tension Gradually reduce over 3 or 4 cycles Gain slack and turn unit OFF Remove halter from unit and patient Patient remains in position for 5 minutes after the treatment © 2005

Manual Traction Changes in tension, angle of pull, and duration are more easily adjusted when compared to mechanical traction Nondominant hand cradles the occiput Dominant hand under nondominant Pulls using bodyweight Can be administered in sustained or intermittent modes © 2005