In orthopaedic medicine, Traction refers to the set of mechanisms for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on the skeletal system. Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (BE: orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with acute, chronic, traumatic and recurrent injuries and other disorders of the locomotor system, its musclular and bone parts. ... A bone fracture is a medical condition in which a bone becomes cracked, splintered, or bisected as a result of physical trauma. ... Skeleton is also a winter sport: see skeleton (sport). ...
It is largely replaced now by more modern techniques, but certain approaches (such as Buck's traction) are still used today for hip fractures. Hip fracture is a fracture in the femur (thighbone) just below the hip joint. ...
Traction can be used to prevent or reduce muscle spasms, keep a joint or other part of the body from moving, or restore a fractured bone to its normal position.
Skin traction is applied to the skin surfaces, usually by a pelvic belt, head halter, traction boot, or moleskin straps covered with elastic wraps.
Thus skin traction is sometimes used intermittently or for short periods while skeletal traction, once applied, is always continuous and is used for longer periods and with heavier weights.
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled "orthopaedics") is the branch of surgery concerned with acute, chronic, traumatic, and recurrent injuries and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system, its muscular and bone parts.
The use of intramedullary rods to treat fractures of the femur and tibia was pioneered by Dr. Kunchner of Germany.
However, traction was the standard method of treating thigh bone fractures until the late 1970s when the Seattle Harborview group popularized intramedullary fixation without opening up the fracture.
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