Application of a femoral traction splint ( Thomas splint ) in children
Equipment
Skin Traction Kits:
Come in 2 sizes (Child and Adult) and 2 types (adhesive and non-adhesive). Generally adhesive is used for children, and non-adhesive for older children and adults.
They contain a skin extension and a bandage, Calico slings & safety pins, Two tongue depressors taped together, Tape measure, Scissors
Two people are required for effective application of the traction
There are 2 types of Thomas splint frame.
They come made for left and right legs
- Fixed ring: the shorter side goes medially
- Split ring: the shorter side goes medially, and the buckle should be over the outer thigh
Preparation
- Explain to child and parents what you are going to do, and why
- Ensure adequate analgesia has been established.
- Ideally this should be a femoral nerve block
- Measure the good leg from the inner thigh ( at the pubis ) and the heel, and add 20-30 cms
- Measure the circumference of the good thigh at its widest part, and add several cms ( to allow for swelling )
- Select a left or right sided splint, of the correct size.
- Choose the size closest to your measurements, but round-up.
- The frame sizings are usually written on the rings at the top.
- Apply calico slings to the selected frame by looping them around the steel rods.
- Secure them with safety pins.
- Put the safety pins on the lateral side, and at the back, so they are out of the way.
- Do not use tubigrip (or similar stretchy material)
Procedure
- Apply firm manual traction to the limb maintaining the foot in a dorsiflexed position.
- Support the knee and thigh
- Apply the skin extension longitudinally around the leg. It should extend to the upper part of the thigh along both sides. The spongy part should be located symmetrically under the sole of the foot, with a gap of 4 cm between it and the foot ( to allow for plantar flexion ). The foam should extend to cover each malleolus for protection.
- The skin traction should then be secured from thigh to the ankle using crepe bandages. It is a good idea to leave the knee and fibula head free from the bandage to reduce the risk of peroneal nerve compression at the fibular head.
- Whilst maintaining traction, put the frame carefully in place. It should fit snugly into the groin, and up against the ischial tuberosity. In boys ensure testicles are not squashed. The leg should be on top of the calico slings
- The traction cords are now pulled tight around the W shape
at the bottom of the splint and secured firmly. The taped tongue
depressor are inserted between the cords and twisted round several
times ( ie used as a Windlass ). This creates the traction.
One suggested way of doing all this is shown below in the diagrams
below.
- When completed - the leg should be elevated
- It is important that circulatory observations are performed after application of the splint (colour, sensation, warmth and movement ), and that the limb is re-X-ray’
Use spatulae as windlass
to tightel strings (applying
traction)
References
Taylor L (1987) Ward Manual of Orthopedic Traction. Churchill Livingstone Royal College of Nursing (2002). A Traction Manual. RCN, London
