Transcript Cervical Traction - Therapeutic Modalities
© 2005
Cervical Traction
Chapter 17
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 – 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 © 2005 – Corresponding to pathology
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