SpinalTraction.pptVIP

Spinal Traction Jennifer Doherty-Restrepo, ATC, LAT Entry-Level Athletic Training Education Program PET 4995: Therapeutic Modalities Traction Process of drawing, or pulling apart, of a body segment Mechanical Traction - using a traction machine or ropes/ pulleys to apply a traction force Manual Traction - clinician positions patient and applies traction force to joints of the spine or extremities Effects of Traction: Spine Encourages movement between each individual spinal segment Amount of movement varies according to… Position of spine, Amount of force, and Length of time the force is applied Transient effect Effects of Traction: Spine ? pain, paresthesia, or tingling Due to physical separation of vertebral segments thus decreasing pressure on sensitive structures As long as positive physiologic effects occur, traction should be continued Effects of Traction: Bone No immediate effects due to traction May result in increased spinal movement that reverses bone weakness associated with immobilization May assist with increasing or maintaining bone density Effects of Traction: Ligaments Stretching effect Structural changes occur slowly due to viscoelastic properties Ligaments resist shear forces and return to original form following removal of a deforming load Sensitivity to rate of loading Ligament deformation results in lengthening of a ligament caused by traction loading Slow loading rates allow for more deformation Effects of Traction: Disks Normal disk in non-compressed position Internal pressure (indicated by arrows) is exerted equally in all directions Internal annular fibers contain nuclear materials Effects of Traction: Disks In an injured disk, sitting or standing compresses the disk causing the nucleus to become flatter Pressure in this instance still remains relatively equal in all directions Effects of Traction: Disks In an injured di