Buck’s traction is a method of reducing the symptoms of muscle spasticity or stiffness, especially in patients with cerebral palsy. It is used to stretch muscle groups and increase mobility. This can help with independence, balance and reduce pain.

Nursing Care Plan For Buck’s Traction

1. Nursing Interventions for Buck’s Traction

Nursing Interventions for Buck’s Traction

The nurse will administer this nursing care plan by using a soft, clean sheet to wrap the patient’s body; covering the head and hair with another clean sheet; covering all other areas of exposed skin with an additional clean sheet; and securing each layer with non-toxic adhesive tape or bandages.

2. Rationale

Buck’s traction is a method of stretching the spine, which is used to treat spinal stenosis and scoliosis. It is also a safe and effective treatment for these conditions. The patient should be aware that this traction therapy is short-term; it will not result in long-lasting pain relief or cure the condition, but it can relieve symptoms while you wait for surgery or other treatments to take effect.

3. Observe the skin around traction on a daily basis and change the skin area of traction every day

Observe the skin around traction on a daily basis and change the skin area of traction every day.

Rewrap as necessary to avoid pressure points and maintain integrity of nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics.

Inform patient of procedures before performing them; encourage him to ask questions if he does not understand them.

4. To prevent skin irritation, breakdown, and ulcers.

Skin breakdown and ulcers can occur when the skin becomes irritated, inflamed, and painful. Skin may become red or inflamed, dry and scaly (or even appear shiny), itchy, cracked or sores that break open. These changes can happen because of moisture exposure to the skin (e.g., lying in bed for long periods of time) or because of heat exposure to the skin (e.g., wearing too many blankets).

5. Check the skin around the cast or splint that is used as an anchor for the traction regularly and rewrap it as necessary

Check the skin around the cast or splint that is used as an anchor for the traction regularly and rewrap it as necessary.

• To avoid pressure points, ulcers, infection, and pain.

6. To avoid pressure points.

Pressure points are areas of skin that are compressed by the cast or splint. Pressure points can cause skin breakdown, which may result in infection and require removal of the cast or splint. Causes of pressure points include:

• Skin folds
• Misalignment of the cast or splint
• Skin irritation, such as itching or pain at the site having been exposed to rubbing (e.g., due to clothing)

Methods for preventing pressure sores include:

• Avoiding tight-fitting clothes that rub on your skin; instead wear loose clothing made from smooth material like cotton knit fabric for comfort
• Changing positions every two hours to minimize stiffness and soreness from not moving much during a long period without changing position

7. Monitor the patient’s neurovascular status regularly

• Check pulses and sensation regularly.
• Monitor the patient’s neurovascular status:
• Check for signs of infection (redness, warmth, or tenderness) at the site of the traction sutures. The skin may be warm to touch on one side but not on the other due to skin-grafting or a flap being removed from one area of skin and attached over another area. If any redness or warmth is present at the site(s) where sutures were placed, notify your manager immediately because this could indicate peritonitis (inflammation within an organ); if ignored, peritonitis can cause death.
• Be aware that DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can occur as a result of sitting in bed for long periods; monitor for signs such as pain/swelling in your legs or groin area which may indicate that blood clots have formed.* Monitor for signs indicating thrombophlebitis (inflammation caused by blood clots): If you notice redness, swelling, pain or heat coming from an incision site where there was no incision before—or if there is redness along any line where sutures were applied—this could indicate thrombophlebitis; notify your manager immediately so these complications can be treated quickly and effectively.*

8. To make certain that integrity of nerves and blood vessels is maintained.

To make certain that integrity of nerves and blood vessels is maintained.

• Check the patient’s neurovascular status regularly, including vital signs, color, temperature, capillary refill time (CRT), skin turgor, peripheral pulses and motor function.
• Monitor the patient’s neurovascular status regularly. If a problem occurs or is suspected, consult with your primary care physician or the hospitalist.
• Avoid pressure points; this includes using pillows to keep pressure off your head while you sleep at night in bed instead of lying flat on your back with bean bags behind your knees or buck’s traction with pillows under shoulders to keep them elevated above hips as much as possible during waking hours while awake at home/work etc..

9. Inform the patient of procedures and encourage him to ask questions

It is important to inform the patient of procedures and encourage him to ask questions. Also, the nurse should review with the patient his rights as a patient. These include:

• Patient Education
• Patient Participation
• Patient Rights (i.e., informed consent, refusal of treatment, privacy)
• Confidentiality
• Autonomy (i.e., “patient autonomy” or “right to self-determination”)

10. To alleviate anxiety and help the patient to understand his condition better.

• To alleviate anxiety and help the patient to understand his condition better, explain the procedure to him.
• Ask the patient if he understands what you have told him.
• Reassure him that everything is going to be fine.
• If he does not seem to understand, explain again (Be sure to use simple language).

11. A nursing care plan for patients who are in buck’s traction will help them make progress.

A nursing care plan for patients who are in buck’s traction will help them make progress. Buck’s traction is the placement of a patient on their side with the pelvis suspended above the bed to be level with the rest of the body. This is an effective way to treat back pain that has not improved with other treatments. The nurse can help patients understand their condition better by explaining what buck’s traction is and why it may be beneficial for them as well as teach them how to perform self-care activities while they are on this type of bed.

The nurse can also help patients with anxiety by helping them understand what will happen during each phase of treatment and providing encouragement throughout each step so they know they are making progress toward recovery from back pain even though it may be slow going due to buck’s traction being uncomfortable at first until pain levels decrease over time due to lack movement during treatment period (1).

Nurses should assess pressure points daily using pressure algometry instrumentation such as goniometer or digital inclinometer when performing assessments related specifically about pressure points which could lead into development of decubitus ulcers if left untreated or improperly treated within 24 hours after initial assessment finding identified presence/absence symptoms indicating risk factors associated with development (2).

Closing

Nursing care plays a vital role in the recovery process of patients with buck’s traction. The nursing interventions should be carefully planned and carried out by nurses who are familiar with the various aspects of this condition.