Knee Traction

Position of the therapist:

  • Standing lateral to the leg to be examined/treated

Position of the patient:

  • Prone lying position
  • Hip in slight flexion
  • Bench lowered as much as possible
  • Legs hang over the short edge of the bench so that the patella is free
  • Knee flexed to 70°
  • Contralateral leg supported on a stool

Hand placement:

  • Ipsilateral hand fixates femur on the bench
  • Contralateral hand grabs tibia medially above the ankle

Direction:

  • Traction in distal direction (along axis of tibia)
  • Optional:
    • more flexion to accentuate ventral capsule
    • more extension to accentuate dorsal capsule

Alternative: see video