Overhead Traction is primarily indicated for which fracture?

• A. Supracondylar fracture of the humerus
• B. Subtrochanteric fracture
• C. S-Type scoliosis
• D. Hip fracture

Answer: (A)

Overhead traction is a method used to apply a steady, longitudinal pull along the limb using a pulley system mounted above the bed. This setup is especially helpful for children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus because the distal fragment tends to be pulled out of alignment by the powerful pull of the forearm and triceps muscles. The overhead traction provides gentle, continuous force that helps bring the fragments toward a more anatomic position and maintains alignment as swelling and soft-tissue injury are managed. It serves as a bridge to definitive treatment, such as casting or surgical fixation, by stabilizing the fracture during the early care period.

The other conditions don’t involve this specific fracture pattern or the same need for a pulley-based, continuous axial pull on the arm. Subtrochanteric fractures involve the femur and require different traction setups or fixation strategies; scoliosis is a spinal deformity treated with bracing or surgery, not arm traction; hip fractures are managed primarily by early mobilization and/or different traction or fixation methods rather than overhead traction aimed at the elbow.