Orthopedic traction refers to the set of orthopedic tools for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on the skeletal system. Traction is force applied by weights or other devices to treat bone or muscle disorders or injuries. Traction treats fractures, dislocations, or muscle spasms in an effort to correct deformities and promote healing. These orthopedic tools have two major types, the skin and skeletal traction, within which there are a number of treatments.

Skin traction includes orthopedic weight traction, which uses lighter weights or counterweights to apply force to fractures or dislocated joints. Orthopedic weight traction may be employed short term, like for example those applied at the scene of an accident or on a temporary basis. The orthopedic weights, typically weighing five to seven pounds, attach to the skin using tape, straps, or boots. They bring together the fractured bone or dislocated joint so that it may heal correctly. In obstetrics, orthopedic weights pull along the pelvic axis of a pregnant woman to facilitate delivery. In elastic traction, an orthopedic elastic device exerts force on an injured limb. In addition, splints, surgical collars, and corsets also may be used.

Skeletal traction requires an invasive procedure in which pins, screws, or wires are surgically installed for use in longer term traction requiring heavier weights. This is the case when the force exerted is more than skin traction can bear, or when skin traction is not appropriate for the body part needing treatment. Orthopedic weights used in skeletal traction generally range from 25 to 40 pounds or about 11 to 18 kilograms. It is important to place the orthopedic pins correctly because they may stay in place for several months, and are the hardware to which orthopedic weights and pulleys are attached. The orthopedic pins must be clean to avoid infection. Damage may result if the alignment and weights are not carefully calibrated. Other forms of skeletal traction are tibia pin traction, for fractures of the pelvis, hip, or femur and overhead arm traction, used in certain upper arm fractures. Cervical traction is used when the neck vertebrae are fractured.

Although the use of orthopedic traction has decreased over the years, there are an increasing number of orthopedic practitioners that are using traction in conjunction with bracing. The main purpose of traction is to regain normal length, to align the involved bone and to immobilize a fractured bone in order to reduce skeletal deformities or muscle contractures. In most cases, traction is only one part of the treatment plan of a patient needing such orthopedic therapy. The order of the orthopedic doctor will contain the type of orthopedic traction, amount of orthopedic weight to be applied, frequency of neurovascular checks if more frequent than every four hours, site care of inserted orthopedic pins, wires, or tongs, the site and care of orthopedic straps, harnesses and halters, the inclusion of any other physical restraints or straps and finally the discontinuation of the orthopedic traction.

The orthopedic doctor is typically responsible for initial application of these orthopedic tools while the adjustment or removal of skeletal traction weights will be based on the charted plan of the doctor. In most cases, cervical traction may be adjusted or temporarily removed, per physician order, by an orthopedic nurse who has documented competency to do so. The alignment and moving of the patient will only be changed upon the order of the orthopedic doctor and the affected extremity will need to be maintained in proper alignment at all times with the ropes and orthopedic traction straps, making sure it is unobstructed and weights are freely hanging.