A canvas head halter traction is often used to treat problems of the cervical spine that require only short-term immobilization. When the head halter is applied, care must be taken to see that the traction pull is parallel to the long axis of the body. The traction rope must not be allowed to rub on a high headboard or the mattress.
If necessary, the traction may be applied with the patient lying head down in bed so that the lower footboard is the site of attachment of the traction hardware. No more than 2.3 kg of weight should be applied to canvas traction.
Following are known common problems that may occur with head halter traction
Pressure on the Chin
Pain and skin excoriation on the chin are caused by excessive weight of traction, inadequate padding of the chin strap, or traction pull that is not evenly distributed between the chin strap and the occipital strap.
Excessive pull on the chin can be relieved by changing the direction of the traction rope and apparatus so that more pull is placed on the occipital strap.
The traction should be discontinued temporarily if pain is persistent.
Pressure on the Occiput
it may cause skin trauma, headaches, or occipital neuritis. Adequate padding can prevent most skin trauma. Occipital headaches are relieved when pressure on the occiput is decreased or the line of pull must be lowered to place more pull on the chin.
A constant dull pain in the occipital area may suggest occipital neuritis. It usually is not relieved by temporary discontinuation of the traction, and the traction may have to be permanently discontinued.
Pressure at the Temporomandibular Joint
Pain in the temporomandibular area develops when a large amount of weight is used over a long period. The most prominent symptom is pain in the angle of the jaw, often radiating into the ear. The use of a bite block usually relieves temporomandibular pain, but if pain persists, traction should be discontinued.
Other Problems
Mechanical problems include weights resting on the floor, breaking the rope, and tangling the rope in the pulley. Mechanical problems can be prevented by close observation of the traction setup.
Uncooperative or patient not able to cooperate are not good cnadiates for head halter taction. Disoriented or restless patients may be unsuited to this type of cervical traction, and a more rigid traction device may have to be employed.
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