Which statement describes a risk associated with skeletal traction?

Which statement describes a risk associated with skeletal traction?

• A. Skin breakdown
• B. Bone overgrowth
• C. Immediate healing
• D. Decreased bone density after traction

Answer: (A)

Skeletal traction relies on pins or wires inserted into bone to apply a steady pulling force. The most direct risk is skin breakdown around the pin sites and where the hardware touches the skin. The presence of pins through the skin creates areas that can become irritated, inflamed, or torn, especially with prolonged traction and any movement. Poor pin-site care can lead to infection, which may propagate along the pin tract and even into bone (osteomyelitis), making skin integrity and infection prevention central concerns with this method. Other options aren’t as directly tied to this technique: bone overgrowth isn’t a typical risk of traction, immediate healing is not expected with traction, and while reduced bone density can occur with long-term immobilization, it’s a less immediate and less specific risk compared to skin breakdown at the pin sites.

Skeletal traction relies on pins or wires inserted into bone to apply a steady pulling force. The most direct risk is skin breakdown around the pin sites and where the hardware touches the skin. The presence of pins through the skin creates areas that can become irritated, inflamed, or torn, especially with prolonged traction and any movement. Poor pin-site care can lead to infection, which may propagate along the pin tract and even into bone (osteomyelitis), making skin integrity and infection prevention central concerns with this method.

Other options aren’t as directly tied to this technique: bone overgrowth isn’t a typical risk of traction, immediate healing is not expected with traction, and while reduced bone density can occur with long-term immobilization, it’s a less immediate and less specific risk compared to skin breakdown at the pin sites.