Ankle Traction: Uses, Purpose, Contraindications, How to take traction at home?

What is ankle Traction?

Ankle Traction refers to the set of mechanisms for stretching of broken bones with immobilization or relieving pressure on the skeletal system with Rest for Healing purpose. They are used to treat fractures, dislocations and long-duration muscles spasms, and also uses to prevent or correct abnormal leg deformities.

It is used to treat fractures, ankle joint dislocations, spasm of muscles of ankle and to prevent or correct deformities.
Traction is a technique of re-aligning a bone or a part with the help of weights.

Uses of ankle traction :

• it is used to immobilising the painful and inflamed joint.
• it is also recommended for correction of soft tissue contractures.
• Traction is a technique of Realiging a bone or a part with the help of weights.

Purposes of the traction :

• Stabilizes the dislocated part.
• Help to regain the normal position of the bone.
• Temporary reduce the pain prior to surgery.
• Eliminate or reduce muscular spasms and restricted joints , tendons , or ligaments.
• Also helps to treat deformities.
• Also improve reduced joint space mainly in Osteoarthritis of Hip and Knee.

How long the patient will require Traction ?

some patients may require traction for shorter period of time .
some patients may require it for longer duration of time.
the duration of traction required is strictly decided by your Doctor or the physical therapist according to the condition of the patient.

How often you should do your traction ?

In general the duration of traction is around 10 to 15 mints per session upto 1 Hour. It may vary depends upon condition and severity, Doctors will recommended How often and times you require traction.
but you can take several sessions within a day.
if you feel increase in your pain , you must stop taking traction and should consult your physical therapist again.

Contraindications :

if you have following list of conditions you should avoid traction

• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• infection
• pregnancy

How to take ankle traction at home ?

Ankle traction kit :

Advantage :

it is available in all sizes.

kit includes following instruments :

• ankle brace
• ankle pulley bracket
• traction cord
• water weight bag

Procedure:

How to set up ankle traction kit at home ?

• Traction pulley bracket is hung on the end side of your bed.
• now open up ankle traction brace.
• wrap the ankle traction brace around the ankle and tighten the strap around ankle.
• tie the ankle traction cord to the ring of the ankle traction brace.
• pass the other end of the cord through the pulley.
• tie up the traction cord to the water weight bag.
• the weight of the water bag is calculated by the physiotherapist doctor as considering the age, weight and eliment of the patient.
• it is shown that the weight of the water bag is put around 5kgs to 6 kgs.

How to remove ankle traction kit ?

• remove the water weight bag.
• untie the traction cord.
• after that remove the ankle brace.

Complications :

• Infection
• Pressure sores
• Neural tissue damage
• Asymmetrical alignment of bones or joints
• Wire connection malfunction
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Traction Kit Video :