Which is an indication for traction therapy?

• A. Disc herniation with radiculopathy and malalignment after other measures fail.
• B. Acute fracture.
• C. Severe osteoporosis.
• D. Vascular issues.

Answer: (A)

Traction therapy is used to unload and decompress the spine when nerve roots are irritated by a herniated disc. In a disc herniation with radicular symptoms, and when other treatments haven’t provided relief, gently pulling to separate the vertebrae can reduce disc bulge and widen the neural foramina, decreasing nerve compression and helping pain and function improve. This scenario—disc herniation with radiculopathy that hasn’t responded to other measures—fits as an indication because the primary issue is mechanical compression of a nerve root from the disc. By contrast, an acute fracture is a stability risk for traction and is avoided until healing; severe osteoporosis raises fracture risk with traction; and vascular problems pose potential complications, so they are contraindications rather than indications.