Traction force profiles associated with the use of a fracture table: a preliminary report.

A load cell was developed that can reliably monitor longitudinal traction forces applied to limbs during several different orthopaedic procedures. This permitted determination of tensile loads and the effects of patient limb positions on tension magnitudes. The relationships between the magnitude and duration of applied tension to functional nerve changes were also studied. This preliminary report reviews traction force data on seven patients for eight operations. Mean peak loads for femoral, tibial, and hip procedures were 686, 356, and 306 N, respectively. Adduction of the limb around a fixed peroneal post caused great increases in traction forces.