In buck traction, which statement about the traction setup is correct?

In buck traction, which statement about the traction setup is correct?

• A. The weight pulls the limb into traction
• B. The weight is not used
• C. The bed should be flat and no elevation
• D. The limb bears weight without traction

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that traction is produced by a weight that pulls along the length of the leg. In buck traction, a boot or sling is attached to the limb and a weight hangs to generate a steady pulling force. This gravity-driven pull helps align the fracture and reduce muscle spasm, keeping the limb in the proper position until definitive treatment can be provided. Without that weight, there would be no continuous traction, so the setup relies on the weight to create the pulling force along the limb.

The key idea is that traction is produced by a weight that pulls along the length of the leg. In buck traction, a boot or sling is attached to the limb and a weight hangs to generate a steady pulling force. This gravity-driven pull helps align the fracture and reduce muscle spasm, keeping the limb in the proper position until definitive treatment can be provided. Without that weight, there would be no continuous traction, so the setup relies on the weight to create the pulling force along the limb.