Indication
Prior to surgery, this is used to reduce long bone fractures of hip or femur bone.
What is Buck's or skin traction?
2 shorter poles with end clamp, 1 shorter rod, 1 rod with pulley, rope, traction boot, scissors, weight are used for this.
What is end of bed Buck's traction setup?
This should be assessed at least hourly.
What is pain and patient tolerance?
Trauma is the most likely precipitating factor, with fracture of the extremity leading in the greatest number of cases of this medical emergency.
What is compartment syndrome?
This is usually the initial complaint of compartment syndrome.
What is pain that is greater than expected or out of proportion for the injury?
This is an indication for Buck's traction.
What is bone fracture realignment?
This should be considered for the patient's comfort prior to traction application.
What is pain medication and/or medication for muscle spasms (i.e.: Valium)?
CMS assessment should occur at these times for a patient with Buck's traction.
What is prior to boot placement, after traction application, Q4h, and PRN?
This is a potential skin integrity issue for over-weighted traction.
What is sloughing?
These are the 6 P's of compartment syndrome, or classic signs of acute compartment syndrome.
What are pain, paresthesia, pressure, pallor, paralysis, and pulselessness?
This is another indication for traction.
What is pain reduction prior to surgery?
Consider this for boot placement, weight adjustment, and any patient re-positioning.
What is a helper to stabilize leg and weights?
These parts of the traction system should be assessed during patient rounds to ensure equipment integrity.
What are rope (knot secure, no fraying, rope not touching bed frame) weights (hanging freely off floor and amount used), linens (not touching rope), and intact frame?
Nerve weakness, numbness/tingling, increase in pain, muscle spasms, and/or loss of sensation are all a compromise of this system.
What is the neurovascular system?
This is the traditional treatment for lower extremity compartment syndrome.
What is a complete fasciotomy? Lateral incision to decompresses the anterior and lateral compartments, and medial incision to decompress the superficial and deep posterior compartments .
This is indicated per a physicians order.
What is the applied weight?
These are the needed patient assessment and documentation during use of Buck's traction.
What is routine assessment, neurovascular integrity, skin condition, respiratory status, pain, elimination patterns, and patient/family teaching?
This could result if the leg is not stabilized and guided properly into the traction equipment.
What is inadequate fracture alignment?
This should be done immediately if compartment syndrome is suspected.
What is notify the physician?
This should be kept off the ground and bed frame.
What is the rope and weight system?
This device is used to measure compartment syndrome pressure.
What is a Manometer (Stryker Pen)?
These complications may arise due to patient immobility.
What is pneumonia, DVT/PE/fat embolus, constipation?
Capillary blood perfusion is decreased due to this internal force.
What is increased pressure from swelling?