PTAP 1240 – TRACTION EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
traction - ANSWER machine or manually; tensional mechanical force applied
to separate joint surfaces, elongates surrounding tissue
traction goal - ANSWER reduce s&sx of c/s or l/s compression
joint distraction - ANSWER -separation of 2 articular surfaces perpendicular to
the plane of articulation
-reduces joint compression and widens intervertebral foramina
-requires enough force; 50% body weight for l/s and 7% of body weight for c/s
disc realignment - ANSWER -clicking back of disc fragment of small nuclear
protrusions
-suction caused by decreased intradiscal pressure pulling displaced parts of disc
back to center
-tensing of post. longitudinal ligament at post. aspect of disk; pushing disc
material
lumbar traction force - ANSWER 60-120 lbs.
cervical traction force - ANSWER 15-30 lbs.
soft tissue efects - ANSWER -increase in length of soft tissue increases
distance between vertebral bodies and facet joints
-moderate, prolonged force has been shown to increase length of tendons, and
increase joint mobility
muscle relaxation - ANSWER -faciliate relaxation of paraspinal muscles by
reduced pressure on pain sensitive structures or gating by intermittent traction
intermittent traction - ANSWER decreased muscle spasms by blocking pain-
spasm-pain cycle, stimulate golgi tendon organs
, static traction - ANSWER decreased muscle spasms by depression of
monosynaptic response
joint mobilization - ANSWER -increased by high force traction stretching of
surrounding soft tissue structures
-receptive oscillatory motion of intermittent traction may move joints
sufficiently to stimulate mechanoreceptors, the decreasing joint-related pain
-mechanical traction mobilizes many joints at once whereas manual techniques
are more localized
disc bulge/herniation indications - ANSWER -l/s traction may decrease size of
herniated disc
-lack of significant clinical benefit may be related to severity of disc protrusion
-more positive outcomes noted in c/s
nerve impingement indications - ANSWER -associated with: disc bulge,
ligament encroachment, foraminal stenosis, osteophyte encraochment, nerve
root swelling, spondylolisthesis
-best applied shortly after onset of symptoms
joint hypomobility indications - ANSWER -traction can glide/distract spinal
facet joints to increase mobility
-effect is nonspecific, affecting multiple joints
-patient positioning
subacute joint inflammation indications - ANSWER -force reduces pressure on
inflamed joint surfaces
-small movements may gate pain and help maintain normal fluid exchange in
the joints
muscle spasm indications - ANSWER -static traction or low-load intermittent
traction; may help interrupt pain-spasm-pain cycle
-higher load traction; may reduce underlying cause of pain
contrindications - ANSWER -when motion is contraindicated
-acute injury/inflammation
-joint hypomobility or instability
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
traction - ANSWER machine or manually; tensional mechanical force applied
to separate joint surfaces, elongates surrounding tissue
traction goal - ANSWER reduce s&sx of c/s or l/s compression
joint distraction - ANSWER -separation of 2 articular surfaces perpendicular to
the plane of articulation
-reduces joint compression and widens intervertebral foramina
-requires enough force; 50% body weight for l/s and 7% of body weight for c/s
disc realignment - ANSWER -clicking back of disc fragment of small nuclear
protrusions
-suction caused by decreased intradiscal pressure pulling displaced parts of disc
back to center
-tensing of post. longitudinal ligament at post. aspect of disk; pushing disc
material
lumbar traction force - ANSWER 60-120 lbs.
cervical traction force - ANSWER 15-30 lbs.
soft tissue efects - ANSWER -increase in length of soft tissue increases
distance between vertebral bodies and facet joints
-moderate, prolonged force has been shown to increase length of tendons, and
increase joint mobility
muscle relaxation - ANSWER -faciliate relaxation of paraspinal muscles by
reduced pressure on pain sensitive structures or gating by intermittent traction
intermittent traction - ANSWER decreased muscle spasms by blocking pain-
spasm-pain cycle, stimulate golgi tendon organs
, static traction - ANSWER decreased muscle spasms by depression of
monosynaptic response
joint mobilization - ANSWER -increased by high force traction stretching of
surrounding soft tissue structures
-receptive oscillatory motion of intermittent traction may move joints
sufficiently to stimulate mechanoreceptors, the decreasing joint-related pain
-mechanical traction mobilizes many joints at once whereas manual techniques
are more localized
disc bulge/herniation indications - ANSWER -l/s traction may decrease size of
herniated disc
-lack of significant clinical benefit may be related to severity of disc protrusion
-more positive outcomes noted in c/s
nerve impingement indications - ANSWER -associated with: disc bulge,
ligament encroachment, foraminal stenosis, osteophyte encraochment, nerve
root swelling, spondylolisthesis
-best applied shortly after onset of symptoms
joint hypomobility indications - ANSWER -traction can glide/distract spinal
facet joints to increase mobility
-effect is nonspecific, affecting multiple joints
-patient positioning
subacute joint inflammation indications - ANSWER -force reduces pressure on
inflamed joint surfaces
-small movements may gate pain and help maintain normal fluid exchange in
the joints
muscle spasm indications - ANSWER -static traction or low-load intermittent
traction; may help interrupt pain-spasm-pain cycle
-higher load traction; may reduce underlying cause of pain
contrindications - ANSWER -when motion is contraindicated
-acute injury/inflammation
-joint hypomobility or instability
