You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
1<br />
Buck’s <strong>Traction</strong><br />
Credit to:<br />
Durand Tessier, Surgery 7
2<br />
What is Buck’s <strong>Traction</strong><br />
• One of the most common orthopedic<br />
mechanisms by which pull is exerted on the<br />
lower extremity with a system of ropes, weights,<br />
and pulleys<br />
• May be unilateral or bilateral: used to<br />
immobilize, position, and align the lower<br />
extremity in the treatment of contractures and<br />
diseases of the hip and knee<br />
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier.
3<br />
Supplies Needed<br />
5 lbs Bucks <strong>Traction</strong> Assembly:<br />
• Two 9 inch single clamp bars<br />
• One pulley<br />
• One 36 inch length of traction cord<br />
• Appropriate weight and hook<br />
• bucks traction boot
4<br />
Set Up<br />
Side of setup will depend on<br />
which hip is fractured<br />
1. Place the first of the 9 inch<br />
single clamp bars angled up,<br />
slightly protruding toward<br />
the footboard of the bed<br />
away from the patient<br />
2. Connect the second 9 inch<br />
bar to the end of the first<br />
3. Line the pulley unit directly<br />
with the foot of the affected<br />
leg of the patient<br />
3<br />
2<br />
1
5<br />
Alignment<br />
• The weight system should<br />
line up with the patient as<br />
much as possible while<br />
attempting to keep the<br />
affected leg as straight as<br />
tolerated.
6<br />
Applying the boot<br />
• Place the bucks traction boot on the patient<br />
• When secure, feed the traction cord through the<br />
existing eyelet found on the end of the bucks<br />
boot<br />
Existing<br />
eyelet
7<br />
Pulley System<br />
• There must be adequate<br />
clearance while feeding the<br />
traction cord through the<br />
pulley system<br />
• The cord can not come into<br />
contact with any obstruction<br />
as this would impede the<br />
effectiveness of the bucks<br />
traction weight
8<br />
The Final Step<br />
• Apply/attach the weight as<br />
prescribed by Orthopedics<br />
(normally 5 lbs)<br />
• This weight must also have<br />
adequate clearance from the<br />
patient’s bed