© 2005 Lumbar Traction Chapter 17

© 2005 Lumbar Traction Cervical vs. Lumbar –Similar: separating the vertebrae –Difference: Friction, muscle, soft tissue tension, and weight of the lower extremity is a strong counterforce in lumbar traction, requiring more tension to separate the vertebrae –Force is approximately ½ the body weight –Split table reduces friction Patient position has more influences on angle of pull in lumbar traction

© 2005 General Uses INDICATIONS Spinal nerve impingement Disk herniations Muscle spasm Radicular pain CONTRAINDICATIONS Pain of unknown origin Acute injury Unstable spinal segments Cancer, meningitis, or other spinal cord/ vertebrae disease Vertebral fracture Extruded disk fragments

© 2005 Patient Positioning Supine –Increases flexion Supine + Flexion –Further increasing flexion –46-60 = L5-S1 –60-75 = L4-L5 –75-90 = L3-L4 –90 = Posterior intervertebral space Extension –Opens facet joints and increases distraction in upper lumbar

© 2005 Patient Positioning Prone –Used when excessive flexion or lying supine causes pain –Beneficial Allows other modalities to be used during traction Effects the lower disk protrusions Optimal Position –Experience –Trial and error

© 2005 Types of Lumbar Traction Inversion Traction –Suspended upside down –Lengthens spine by the weight of the patient –Hazardous Hypertension Cardiovascular Glaucoma Gravitational Traction –Patient Upright Can increase posterior disk space between L1-S1 Torso harness may be uncomfortable –Autotraction Support body weight by hanging from a bar or arm chair Relaxing spinal muscles can distract vertebrae

© 2005 Mechanical Traction Application Motorized lumbar traction Assess body weight Remove material that may interfere with halter Adjust halter accordingly –Traction halter = Pelvis –Stabilization harness = 8 th -10 th Ribs Unlock split table and align target spinal segment over the opening in the table Secure and connect halter Align angle of pull to correspond with specific pathology Explain treatment to patient and give safety switch

© 2005 Initiation of Treatment Set controls to zero and turn on unit Adjust ratio Tension –Approximately 25% of body weight –Radicular pain caused by disk herniation: 30 to 60% of body weight Duration –Corresponding to pathology Instruct patient to remain relaxed

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

© 2005 Manual Traction Helps determine the direction and amount of force to apply mechanically In rare instances manual traction can be substituted for mechanical traction Can be applied using a belt that allows the clinician’s body weight to deliver the force