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Traction splint

 

 
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Traction splint
 
 
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A traction splint is splinting device that uses straps attaching over the Pelvis or Hip as an anchor, a metal rod(s) to mimic normal bone stability and limb lenth and a mechanical device to apply traction (used to reduce pain, realign the limb and minimise vascual and neurological complication) to the limb. A traction splint is commonly used to treat complete long bone fractures of the leg, femur
Femur

The femur, or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs....
or Tibia and Fibula area.






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A traction splint is splinting device that uses straps attaching over the Pelvis or Hip as an anchor, a metal rod(s) to mimic normal bone stability and limb lenth and a mechanical device to apply traction (used to reduce pain, realign the limb and minimise vascual and neurological complication) to the limb. A traction splint is commonly used to treat complete long bone fractures of the leg, femur
Femur

The femur, or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs....
or Tibia and Fibula area. Traction splints have been instrumental in the reduction of morbity and mortality from traumatic events. The use of traction splints by prehospital careis a near-universal skill and thereby essential piece of ambulance
Ambulance

file:Ambulancebroomfieldhospital.jpgfile:C12 air ambulance.jpgfile:Scilly Isles Ambulance Service alongside Tresco quay.jpgAn ambulance is a vehicle for transporting sick or injured people, to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury....
 equipment.

Principles


Traction splints are most commonly used for shaft fractures
Bone fracture

A bone fracture is a medical condition in which a bone is cracked or broken. It is a break in the continuity of the bone. While many fractures are the result of high force impact force or Stress fracture, bone fracture can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, certain types of cance...
 of the femur
Femur

The femur, or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs....
, The Femur is the strongest bone in the body, the muscle
MUSCLE

MUSCLE is public domain, multiple sequence alignment software for protein and nucleotide sequences.MUSCLE is integrated into UGENE bioinformatics tool as a plugin....
s surrounding the bone are also strong, when the bone is broken, the surrounding muscles often contract
Contract

A contract is an exchange of promises between two or more parties to do, or refrain from doing, an act which is enforceable in a court of law. It is a binding legal agreement....
, pulling the bone ends past each other, causing additional injury and blood loss, pain, muscle, vascular and nerve damage.

Traction splints are applied only when the fracture is isolated to the femur and there are no other associated traumatic injuries to the leg or pelvis. Use of a traction splint while other fractures in the leg exist will cause the weaker fracture site to pull apart and not the targeted femur fracture.(Comment disputed)

Models

There are two groups of traction splints: the Thomas half-ring group; which includes The Thomas Splint, The Modified Thomas splint, the Hare Traction Splint and the Donway Traction Splint and Non Half ring group which includes the Sager Splint, the Kndrick Traction Device (KTD) and the Slishman Splint. The basic principle is that one end of the traction splint is positioned against the hip, and pushes upward against the pelvic bone. A strap around the foot and ankle
Ankle

In human anatomy, the ankle joint is formed where the foot and the human leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot....
 is connected to the other end of the splint, and tightened to counteract the muscle tension and produce traction
Traction (orthopedics)

In orthopedic surgery, traction refers to the set of mechanisms for straightening Bone fractures or relieving pressure on the skeletal system.There are two types of traction: skin traction and skeletal traction....
. Only then are additional straps added to aid immobilization of the limb.

The Thomas half-ring consists of a padded half-circle of steel which is strapped to the hip, hinged to a U-shaped rod that extends along both sides of the leg. An ankle strap may be fashioned from cloth, and tied or twisted to apply traction force.

The Modified Thomas splint adapted the original Thomas Splint to include a traction screw and foot plate and limb support built into the splint body.

The Hare Traction Splint is a further adaptation of The Thomas splint. Its length is adjustable via telescoping
Telescoping (mechanics)

Telescoping in mechanics describes the movement of one part sliding out from another, lengthening an object from its rest state. In modern equipment, this is often done by Hydraulic drive system....
 rods, and it has built-in straps for the hip, and to support the leg at several points along its length. It also provides a more comfortable ankle strap and a small winch
Winch

A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank ....
 that makes it much easier to apply and adjust traction force.

The Sager splint is an innovative splint that has introduced a new concept in the fixation of the consists of a metallic splint that is placed between the patient's legs. Some models may be placed on the side closest to the injury for bilateral
Symmetry (biology)

Symmetry in biology is the balanced distribution of duplicate body parts or shapes. The body plans of most multicellular organisms exhibit some form of symmetry, either radial symmetry or bilateral symmetry or glide symmetry....
 femur fractures without pelvic trauma. Straps are then applied, first at the thigh and then at the ankle, to strap the injured leg to the pole and provide support. The pole is extended to supply the needed traction, and then both legs are wrapped with cravat
Cravat

The cravat is a neckband, the forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie. From the end of the 16th century, the term "band" applied to any long-strip neckcloth that was not a "ruff ." The ruff, a starched, pleated white linen strip, started its fashion career earlier in the 16th century as a neckcloth , as a bib, or as a napkin....
-like straps.

The KTD (Kendrick Traction Device) eliminates the need for leg-raising and unnecessary rolling of the patient, and can be easily applied to both pediatric and adult applications. It consists of a round pole that can be located on the lateral aspect of the leg, with straps at the upper thigh and ankle for immediate placement, and three wider straps for immobilization. It is very light at 20 ounces. The KTD does not afford the rotational stability normally seen in long bone traction splints.

The Donway Traction Splint is a pneumatic splint that can be applied to a patient in situ. Acting on the ankle and groin pressure is then applied via an integrated pump. The devices itself consists of a metal frame that surrounds the leg that is then strapped into place.

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