Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur
College of Nursing
BALANCE SKELETAL TRACTION CHECKLIST
NAME:_______________________ DATE:_______________
PROCEDURE 3 2 1 0 REMARKS
1.Check/verify the doctor’s order.
Rationale: to know the patient, the site of affection, and to
check the weights to be used.
2.Inform the patient about the need and purpose of the
procedure
3. Preparation:
a. Identify the different parts of the Orthopedic bed
-BALKAN FRAME:
4 vertical bars
2 horizontal bars
1 diagonal bar
2 straight or cross bars
1 curved bar
-FIRM MATTRESS
-FRACTURE BOARD
b. Gather equipment needed for BST:
Thomas splint
Pearson’s attachment
Rest splint
3 cord/ropes/sashes
5 slings
5 safety pins/paper clips
3 pulleys
Weights
-Traction weight-10% of patient’s weight
-Suspension weight-50% of traction weight
Steinman’s pin holder
Foot board
Overhead trapeze
4.Assemble the Thomas splint and Pearson’s attachment
Rationale: Estimate/measure the length of the thigh to
ensure that the screw of the Pearson’s is in line with knee
5.Mount the Thomas & Pearson’s on the rest splint.
6.Apply the slings.
Rationale: Start from the medial side to the lateral side,
secure both ends together, fan fold nicely
on the lateral aspect and secure with a pin or clip.
Observe the Principles in Sling Application:
a. Not too tight and not too loose
b. One inch distance in between the slings to promote
aeration or ventilation.
c. Popliteal area and heel portion should be free from any
slings
d. Smooth and right side should come in contact with the
patient’s skin to avoid friction and irritation.
e. Two longer and wider slings for the thigh portion
(Thomas) and the three for the leg
area (Pearson).
7.Tie the thigh rope (shortest) on the medial upright of the
Thomas with a slipknot and secure the
other end of the rope at the screw of the Pearson.
8. Insertion of the apparatus under the affected extremity.
Three manpower needed:
1st person to insert the whole apparatus under the
affected extremity.
2nd person to perform manual traction to be released
after the attachment of the
traction weight on the third pulley.
3rd person to support/lift the affected extremity.
This is to be done simultaneously at the count of three.
Instruction to the patient:
Hold on to the trapeze, flex the unaffected leg and at the
count of three (simultaneously with the
insertion of the apparatus) will lift the buttock of the
affected side.
9.Check if the principles of sling application are followed;
check the alignment; and make the
necessary adjustments.
10.Application of the traction weight. ISO 9001:2015
One end of the traction rope (longer rope) is attached to RCertificate.
EGISTERED
No. SCP000580Q
the Steinman pin holder with a
slipknot; the other end is to run along the third (3rd) pulley.
Attach the prescribed weight.
11. Application of suspension weight.
The loose end of the thigh rope is attached to the lateral
aspect of the ischial ring with a
slipknot
Attach suspension rope (longest) at the mid-part of the
thigh rope with a slipknot.
Insert the end of the suspension rope to the 1st pulley
Insert the suspension weight and hang it on the first
pulley
Insert the suspension rope to the second pulley then pass
it under the rest splint,
outside the traction rope, and tie it to the Thomas splint
with a clove hitch knot and tie
it again to the Pearson’s attachment with another clove
hitch knot.
Consume the remaining rope.
12.Remove the rest splint.
Apply foot board (using ribbon knot) to prevent foot drop.
13.Check the efficiency of the traction by swinging the
patient to and fro, side to side. (Give the
patient the same instruction during the insertion of the
apparatus)
14.C heck the Principles of Traction: ISO 9001:2015
REGISTERED
Patient should be in dorsal recumbent position. Certificate. No. SCP000580Q
Line of pull should be in line with the deformity
1st pulley must be in line with the deformity
o 2nd pulley must be in line with the knee
o 3rd pulley must in line with the 1st & 2nd pulley
Traction should always be continuous- importance of
manual traction should be
emphasized.
Avoid friction: (you have to W O R K)
W-weight should be hanging freely
O-observe for wear and tear of rope and bags
R-rope should be running along the groove of the pulley
K-knots should be away from the pulley
Provide counter traction-patient’s body weight will ser
Traction should always be continuous- importance of
manual traction should be
emphasized.
Avoid friction: (you have to W O R K)
W-weight should be hanging freely
O-observe for wear and tear of rope and bags
R-rope should be running along the groove of the pulley
K-knots should be away from the pulley
Provide counter traction-patient’s body weight will
serve as the counter traction.ve as the counter traction.
REMOVAL OF TRACTION
1. Apply the rest splint
2. Hang suspension weight on the 1st pulley
3. Completely remove the suspension rope
4. Loosen the thigh rope on the lateral aspect of the ischial
ring and secure the loose end on the
screw. ISO 9001:2015
5. Apply manual traction on the Steinman pin holder. REGISTERED
Certificate. No. SCP000580Q
6. Remove the traction weight
7. Remove the traction rope from the third pulley and
secure the loose end on the rest splint with a
clove hitch knot; another knot on the Thomas and Pearson
attachment.
____________________________
Signature of Clinical Instructor
ISO 9001:2015
REGISTERED
Certificate. No. SCP000580Q
