PAM Mechanical Modalities & Traction Therapy 2

Question 1

What patient position is recommended for lumbar traction to reduce lumbar lordosis and paraspinal muscle tension?

Accepted Answer

Supine with hips and knees flexed to 90 degrees

Answer

Prone with a pillow under the abdomen

Answer

Side-lying with legs extended

Answer

Sitting upright in a chair

Question 2

The typical maximum recommended force for cervical mechanical traction is:

Accepted Answer

15–25 lbs

Answer

5–10 lbs

Answer

30–40 lbs

Answer

50–60 lbs

Question 3

Intermittent traction is preferred over sustained traction when the primary treatment goal is to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce acute paraspinal muscle guarding and spasm

Answer

Achieve maximum vertebral separation

Answer

Treat severe disc herniation

Answer

Maximize reduction of intradiscal pressure

Question 4

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is contraindicated in patients with:

Accepted Answer

Acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Answer

Post-surgical extremity edema

Answer

Congestive heart failure-related peripheral edema

Answer

Chronic venous insufficiency

Question 5

A cervical traction halter is designed to transmit traction force primarily through the:

Accepted Answer

Occiput and mandible/chin

Answer

Cervical spinous processes

Answer

Temporal bones bilaterally

Answer

Mastoid processes only

Question 6

Positional traction achieves vertebral distraction primarily through which principle?

Accepted Answer

Gravity and body weight acting on positioned segments

Answer

Mechanical pulleys and calibrated weights

Answer

Manual force applied by the therapist

Answer

Electrical muscle stimulation inducing distraction

Question 7

Which on:off ratio is most commonly used for intermittent cervical or lumbar traction?

Accepted Answer

1:1 (e.g., 30 sec on / 30 sec off)

Answer

1:3 (e.g., 15 sec on / 45 sec off)

Answer

3:1 (e.g., 45 sec on / 15 sec off)

Answer

1:5 (e.g., 10 sec on / 50 sec off)