Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand how to effectively perform joint traction by analyzing the distance change of the joint space (separation distance) induced by continuous traction of the knee joint.
Method: A total of 42 healthy subjects were divided into three groups based on traction strength (100, 150, and 200 N group). We then analyzed the separation distance using ultrasound images of the joint space, before and during knee joint traction (5, 10, 30, 60, 120, 180 s) at 50° flexion angle.
Result: All groups showed statistically significant separation immediately after the start of the traction; however, separation distance did not change over time in the 100 N group. On the other hand, we observed a significant chronological increase in separation distance in the 150 N and 200 N groups at 10 s after the start of the traction. There were no significant differences in separation distances among the three groups for 5 s and 10 s; however, after 30 s, separation distances in the 150 N and 200 N groups were significantly greater than that of the 100 N group.
Conclusion: These results suggest that extending the connective tissue of the knee joint using traction requires traction strengths greater than 100 N and traction times longer than 10 s.
