Traction Splint Unilateral Adult

Ratchet Traction Mechanism for Emergency Femur Fracture Management

The Traction Splint Unilateral Adult EM0103 (VM-TSUA) is a pre-hospital emergency splint designed for application to suspected mid-shaft femur fractures in adult patients. Femur fractures are among the most haemodynamically significant musculoskeletal injuries encountered in pre-hospital care: the thigh compartment can accommodate 1–2 litres of blood from internal haemorrhage, and uncontrolled muscle spasm around the fracture site causes severe pain and further vascular and neurological compromise. Traction splinting addresses these consequences directly — applying controlled longitudinal traction to the limb counteracts the shortening and muscle spasm caused by the fracture, reducing pain, restoring approximate anatomical alignment, and reducing the risk of further vascular and nerve injury during patient transport. The EM0103 uses a ratchet traction device with an “S” ring hook to apply and maintain consistent, adjustable traction force without requiring manual effort from the clinician to hold the position. A heel stand and release pull ring support the limb during application and allow controlled release on arrival.

One-Piece Application for Rapid Deployment

The one-piece aluminium-framed design of the EM0103 eliminates assembly steps at scene, enabling application to be completed in minutes — a critical consideration in time-sensitive pre-hospital trauma management where delays at scene contribute directly to patient morbidity. Four leg support straps secure the limb to the frame along its length, distributing support forces evenly and maintaining alignment during transport over uneven terrain. An adjustable ankle wrap provides the distal anchor point against which traction is applied. The aluminium frame provides a rigid structural reference that mimics normal bone stability and limb length, and the nylon webbing straps are fully adjustable to patient anatomy. The unit is supplied in a carry bag for clean storage and ready access in ambulance, rescue, and emergency kit configurations.

Construction, Certification, and Compliance

The EM0103 is manufactured to ISO 13485 quality management system standards and certified CE to (EU) 2017/745 Medical Device Regulation, meeting the regulatory requirements for professional pre-hospital medical device use. Product dimensions are 138×18×17cm deployed and 93×7×18cm folded, with a net weight of 2kg. Each unit is supplied with a carry bag and user instruction manual. Functional inspection is required prior to each use, with annual preventative maintenance inspection by an authorised service agent. 1-year carry-in warranty against faulty materials and workmanship. Available in South Africa from Vital Medical, the VM-TSUA is suited to emergency medical services, hospital emergency departments, trauma response teams, and ambulance services requiring a reliable, CE-certified adult traction splint.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TABLE