Compartmental pressure changes during calcaneal traction in tibial fractures

The effect of calcaneal traction on the compartmental pressure in the legs of five individuals with tibial fractures was studied. Mean resting pressures without traction were found to be 31.9 mmHg for the deep posterior compartment and 27.0 mmHg for the anterior compartment. For each kilogram weight of traction applied the deep posterior pressure rose by 5.7 per cent of the resting value and the anterior pressure by 1.6 per cent. It is suggested that the weight of traction should be only sufficient to render the patient comfortable and maintain alignment of the limb. Excessive traction is likely to increase the risk of compartmental ischaemia. The application of six kilograms of traction would raise the mean resting pressure by 34 per cent from 31.9 to 42.7 mmHg.