Use of home traction

[Guest guest]

Hi. I would like information on schedule, results, precautions, etc

related to the use of home traction (the over the door type that is 20

pounds max). My husband can't have surgery until next year, and if this

would make him feel better, it would be worth a try. What symptoms does

it help and how long does it take to see a difference? Are there any

models that are especially good? Is the water bag type a pain to use?

Thanks for any information. Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy asked:

Hi. I would like information on schedule, results, precautions, etc related

to the use of home traction (the over the door type that is 20 pounds max).

My husband can't have surgery until next year, and if this would make him

feel better, it would be worth a try. What symptoms does it help and how

long does it take to see a difference? Are there any models that are

especially good? Is the water bag type a pain to use?

Kathleen's response:

Unless traction has been ordered, I really wouldn't recommend it. Normally

it is ordered for craniocervical instability.

A doctor or physical therapist would need to prescribe the unit, and tell

you at what rate to increase the weight.

Ideally a PT would set your husband up in the office, and show him how to

properly use it. I never was alone in the house when I used mine for fear of

passing out.

Talk to his surgeon and see if this would be recommended before you have him

try it.

As for nausea it helped with my headache, but I had already been

decompressed adequately. It helped my nausea, and vision as well. The relief

would only last for a short period of time after I took the traction off.

Kathleen