traction /trak″shən/ [L, trahere, to draw] , 1. (in orthopedics) the process of putting a limb, bone, or group of muscles under tension by means of weights and pulleys to align or immobilize the part to reduce muscle spasm or relieve pressure on it. Kinds include Bryant’s traction, Buck’s traction, Russell’s traction, skeletal traction, skin traction, split Russell traction. See also orthopedic traction. 2. the process of pulling a part of the body along, through, or out of its socket or cavity, such as axis traction with obstetric forceps in delivering an infant.
