PREOPERATIVE SKIN TRACTION FOR FRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL FEMUR - A RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE TRIAL

We report the results of a randomised trial to determine the effects o f skin traction on 252 patients awaiting surgery for fractures of the proximal femur. They were allocated randomly to be nursed free in bed or to receive Hamilton-Russell skin traction. No differences were foun d between the groups in terms of pain suffered, analgesia required, fr equency of pressure sores or ease of operation. The application of ski n traction to patients with fractures of the upper femur is time-consu ming and we recommend therefore that its routine use should be discont inued.