How much weight should I use for neck traction?
Stoddard suggested that between 24 and 30 pounds (11-14 kg) of traction was necessary for relief of radicular symptoms. The initial load at the first visit should begin with 10% of the patient’s body weight. Increasing to thirty pounds may be a good traction force with disc patients to truly assess their tolerance.
How do you calculate cervical traction weight?
Cervical traction is set up after the induction of anesthesia. The weights applied for traction are approximately 5 kg or one-sixth of the total body weight. The patient is placed prone with the head end of the table elevated to about 35 degrees (Fig. 34.3).
Are inflatable neck traction devices safe?
Generally, it’s safe to perform cervical traction, but remember that results are different for everyone. The treatment should be totally pain-free. It’s possible that you can experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea upon adjusting your body in this manner. This may even lead to fainting.
How often should you use neck traction?
Duration of cervical traction can range from a few minutes to 20 to 30 min, once or twice weekly to several times per day. Anecdotal evidence suggests efficacy and safety, but there is no documentation of efficacy of cervical traction beyond short-term pain reduction.
What are the side effects of cervical traction?
If you have any of the following symptoms during neck traction, you should stop immediately and be assessed by your doctor:
- Headache.
- Nerve pain in your extremities.
- Pain suddenly goes away.
- Neurological symptoms. Muscle weakness. Numbness. Fainting. Confusion. Vision loss. Tremors. Seizures.
How much should a lumbar traction weight?
Generally, at least one-quarter of the body weight must be used just to overcome the friction of lumbar traction. The maximum force that a patient can tolerate is often used.
How often should I use my cervical traction device?
In general, you should use the over-the-door traction for about 15 to 20 minutes each session1. You can perform several sessions per day. If your pain is increasing while using the over-the-door traction device, you must stop using it and consult your physical therapist or doctor.
How long should you sit in neck traction?
How Long to Use Traction. In general, you should use the over-the-door traction for about 15 to 20 minutes each session1. You can perform several sessions per day. If your pain is increasing while using the over-the-door traction device, you must stop using it and consult your physical therapist or doctor.
How long do you stay in traction?
What should I expect when using the over-the-door traction device?
While using the over-the-door traction device, you should feel a gentle pulling sensation in your neck. You may feel decreased neck pain, and if you have arm pain or tingling, you may also feel this decrease. Remember that traction does not take the place of neck exercises or postural correction in the treatment of your neck pain.
How much does a traction unit cost?
If you are having a difficult time finding an over-the-door traction unit, your physical therapist can help you order one from a medical supplier. Again, you can expect to pay about $20.00 for the device.
What is over-the-door cervical traction?
Over-the-door cervical traction may be an optimum way to administer neck traction to yourself in the comfort of your home, as it can be a safe and simple way to help you decrease your pain by providing gentle neck traction. Many medical supply stores and pharmacies carry over-the-door traction devices as part of their regular stock.
How much force can a cervical traction device handle?
Most home cervical traction devices are limited to 20 lbs force. Twenty pounds is not a sufficient therapeutic force for many patients, especially those with diagnoses requiring separation of the intervertebral spaces for therapeutic effect (e.g., herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, foraminal stenosis, etc…).