OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Traction Principles and Application 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Russell's traction differs from straight Buck's traction primarily because it:
- Uses skeletal pins instead of skin attachment
- Adds a sling under the knee to create a resultant upward and longitudinal force (Correct answer)
- Applies traction to the cervical spine
- Requires the patient to be in the prone position
Correct answer: Adds a sling under the knee to create a resultant upward and longitudinal force
Russell's traction uses a knee sling to create a combined longitudinal and upward force vector, suspending the knee and pulling the femur.
Question 2: During cervical halter traction, the chin and occiput must bear weight equally primarily to:
- Prevent atlantoaxial instability
- Avoid temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stress and skin breakdown (Correct answer)
- Maximize cervical distraction force
- Ensure the patient's airway is unobstructed
Correct answer: Avoid temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stress and skin breakdown
Unequal weight distribution in cervical halter traction places excessive pressure on the TMJ and can cause skin breakdown over bony prominences.
Question 3: Dunlop traction is specifically indicated for which fracture?
- Femoral shaft fractures in infants
- Supracondylar humerus fractures in children (Correct answer)
- Distal radius fractures in adults
- Tibial plateau fractures in adolescents
Correct answer: Supracondylar humerus fractures in children
Dunlop traction is used for supracondylar humerus fractures in children when surgical fixation is delayed or as a temporizing measure.
Question 4: Counter-traction in a bed-bound traction patient is most commonly achieved by:
- Placing sandbags alongside the limb
- Elevating the foot of the bed (Correct answer)
- Using a second pulley in the opposite direction
- Applying a compression bandage to the contralateral limb
Correct answer: Elevating the foot of the bed
Elevating the foot of the bed uses the patient's body weight as counter-traction, preventing the patient from sliding toward the traction.
Question 5: In 90-90 traction for femoral shaft fractures, the hip and knee are each maintained at approximately:
- 45° flexion
- 60° flexion
- 90° flexion (Correct answer)
- 120° flexion
Correct answer: 90° flexion
90-90 traction positions both the hip and knee at 90° of flexion, which relaxes the hamstrings and allows better fracture alignment.
Question 6: Which pin site is most commonly used for distal femoral skeletal traction?
- Tibial tuberosity
- Supracondylar femur / distal femoral metaphysis (Correct answer)
- Calcaneus
- Greater trochanter
Correct answer: Supracondylar femur / distal femoral metaphysis
The distal femoral metaphysis is the standard pin site for distal femoral skeletal traction, providing effective control of the femoral shaft.
Question 7: Pelvic traction is most commonly applied for which condition?
- Unstable pelvic ring fractures
- Lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (Correct answer)
- Femoral neck fractures
- Acetabular fractures requiring reduction
Correct answer: Lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy
Pelvic traction is a conservative treatment used for lumbar disc herniation or low back pain to distract lumbar vertebrae and reduce nerve root compression.
OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Traction Principles and Application 3
Russell's traction differs from straight Buck's traction primarily because it: