Traction - How it is performed 

How traction is carried out 

Skin traction

Skin traction is often used to treat fractures of the limbs and hips. The pulling force helps to keep the fractured bones in the correct position before surgery is carried out.

Skin traction usually takes place while a person is lying in a hospital bed. It uses apparatus such as:

  • adhesive tape
  • bandages
  • gloves and boots that are attached to weights

The weights and affected body parts are pulled up using a pulley system that is attached to the bed.

Skeletal traction

Skeletal traction is used to treat fractures that require more pulling force than skin traction can supply or when splinting (the use of a rigid support) has not been effective. The skin can usually only support up to 3.5kg (8lb), whereas the skeleton can support up to 12kg (25lb).

During skeletal traction, pins or screws will be surgically implanted directly into the bone. This can be done using either a local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic.

Local anaesthetic is where the affected area is numbed so that no pain or discomfort is felt during the procedure. If you have a general anaesthetic you will be completely unconscious.

After the pins or screws have been implanted, weights will be attached to them to pull the affected body part into the correct position. The amount of time that skeletal traction is required will depend on how severely injured the bones are.

Last reviewed: 11/02/2011

Next review due: 11/02/2013

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Does traction work?

Despite being widely used for hundreds of years, there is little in the way of clinical evidence to support the use of traction. For example, there is little evidence to prove that manual traction is an effective treatment for spinal conditions such as:

  • neck pain
  • back pain 
  • sciatica – pain that is caused by irritation to, or compression of, the sciatic nerve

Several studies have been carried out that either produced inconclusive results or concluded that there were more effective treatments than manual traction, such as physiotherapy and exercise.

Skin and skeletal traction do seem to be effective in treating some types of fracture, although some healthcare professionals believe that traction is unnecessary in treating minor fractures.

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