Traction and Decompression (Triton)

Traction and decompression treatment is the targeted application of tensile forces to the body, primarily used for sole or adjunctive therapy of orthopedic indications involving the limbs, shoulder and pelvic girdles, and spine.

Chattanooga’s Triton device system uses an internal force sensor to control the traction force, which is individually adjusted to the patient and slowly increased, in a physiological direction – in terms of the musculoskeletal structure affected. The traction achieved contributes to widening (decompression) of the joint spaces and detonation of the associated musculature. This effect is used, for example, in the treatment of disc prolapse (herniated disc). In this context, longitudinal stretching of the lumbar spine, associated with a reduction in prolapse volume, as well as widening of the facet joints (intervertebral joints) and exposure of constricted nerve endings have been confirmed. Traction treatment leads to significant pain reduction in patients with herniated discs in the lumbar region, as well as in the treatment of shoulder/neck pain and radiculopathy (root syndrome; nerve root inflammation). Furthermore, sustained improvement in spinal balance has been reported in patients with chronic low back pain.

Indications (areas of application)

  • Disc prolapse (intervertebral disc prolapse).
  • Shoulder/neck pain
  • Radiculopathy
  • Chronic low back pain

Contraindications

  • Fractures (broken bones) in the treatment area.
  • Pregnancy
  • Metal implants in the treatment area

Before therapy

Based on the exact clinical and, if necessary, imaging diagnosis, a treatment protocol adapted to the patient is selected. Before the session, the latter is informed about the planned course and familiarized with the operation of the emergency switch. The patient can be positioned either in a sitting or lying position and must be secure enough to prevent the patient from slipping when traction is applied. Depending on the treatment area, selection and application of the appropriate cuff and strapping are performed.

The procedure

Once the patient is optimally positioned, traction is applied by Chattanooga’s Triton traction system via the appropriate cuff and strapping. The treatment is divided into pretension, progression, traction, and regression phases. While the first two phases serve to gradually build up traction while avoiding defensive tension in the muscles, during the main phase of traction the actual decompression of the musculoskeletal structures in the desired area occurs. During regression, there is a tapering off of the traction effect. Depending on the treatment area and especially the degree of chronicity of the disease process, the treatment parameters of traction force, traction speed and traction pattern are adjusted. The latter is composed of statically sustained, increasing or decreasing, gradual as well as intermittent elements.

A single treatment usually lasts 15-30 minutes and is mostly performed 1-2 times per week within series of 5-10 sessions.

After therapy

Following the implementation of the procedure, no special measures are to be carried out.

Possible complications

None of the sources listed below report complications during or after treatment. The patient has an emergency stop button during therapy to interrupt traction if necessary.