should be used to aid with moving. Changes in neurovascular status or equipment malfunctions should be reported immediately to the doctor in charge.
Balanced suspension traction is used for skeletal traction, when a pin is placed through a bone distal to the fracture and a weight is applied to the pin (Buckley and Arneja, 2004). This is most often used in fractures of the femur, and a Thomas sling is used to achieve balanced suspension. This facilitates nursing care because the nurse does not have to life the patient.
Traction can cause pressure ulcers, peroneal nerve palsy, foot drop, pin tract infection and thromboembolism stemming from lack of movement in addition to muscle atrophy, weakness and stiffness (Buckley and Arneja, 2004). These complications need to be looked for and treated where possible by the nursing staff. Pulses should be checked frequently in the affected limb to detect vascular problems.
Spica casts are applied to the hip following different types of hip and leg surgeries, tendon releases, or after a broken bone, mo
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