Primary & Secondary Hip Traction

Primary Traction

Position of the therapist:

  • Standing at the long edge of the bench on the side to be examined/treated

Position of the patient:

  • Supine lying position
  • Pelvis fixated to bench with a belt
  • Leg placed over therapist’s shoulder and flexed to 90°

Hand placement:

  • Both hands grab onto patient’s femur as proximal as possible from ventral and medial

Direction:

  • Traction into ventral, lateral and caudal direction

 

Secondary Traction

Position of the therapist:

  • Standing at the caudal end of the bench at the side to be examined/treated in a split stance

Position of the patient:

  • Supine crook lying position
  • Leg to be examined/treated lying flat on the bench
  • Advisable: Lower back exposed for more friction with bench
  • Leg brought into slight flexion and abduction

Hand placement:

  • Both hands grab the leg above the malleoli
  • Keeping arms straight

Direction:

  • Traction by leaning onto back leg