ABSTRACT
376 patients with different traumatic conditions affecting the femur, hip and pelvis were treated by either skin [15.2%] or skeletal [84.8%] traction. They were examined and followed up while on traction. Duration of traction ranged from 4 to 12 avenge 8.2 weeks. There were 262 males [69.7%] and 114 females [30.3%]. Their age was 7-92, avenge 59 years, 192 complications occurred in 111 patients [29.5%]; 41 patients [10.9%] developed. more than one complication. The complications were bed sores, stiffness of the knee, insomnia, chest infection, urinary infection, gastrointestinal troubles, pin track infection, psychological troubles, pressure sores, skin maceration, foot drop, deep vein thrombosis and death. Complications increased with advancing age. There were 170 patients over the age of 50, and 66 of them [38.8%] developed 133 complications [201.5%]. Females suffered more complications than males with a statistically significant difference. Skeletal traction in general was better than skin traction. The worst type of traction was skin traction in patients over the age of 50. Complications were more common when Bohler splint was used in skeletal traction. Trochanteric fractures showed the highest incidence of complications, while fractures of the pelvis showed the least complications. The longer the duration of traction the more frequently and seriously complications occurred. Patients with pre-existing medical problems had more complications than those who had no diseases