The influence of skeletal traction on intraarticular pressure of the hip.

: Patients with a femoral neck fracture often undergo skeletal traction until surgery. These patients may develop hip joint tamponade that can lead to necrosis of the femoral head. We have measured the pressure variations in 20 cadaveric hips using a semiflexion frame and various loads of skeletal traction. We found a significant decrease in pressure with loads of 5 kg or more of skeletal traction. Skeletal traction does not increase the risk of femoral head necrosis.