To target L3-L4 during traction, the hips should be flexed to approximately which range?

To target L3-L4 during traction, the hips should be flexed to approximately which range?

• A. 0-15 degrees
• B. 75-90 degrees
• C. 45-60 degrees
• D. 60-75 degrees

Answer: (B)

In lumbar traction the position of the hips changes which spinal levels receive the most stretch. Increasing hip flexion alters the alignment of the lumbar spine relative to the traction vector, so different levels can be preferentially decompressed. Flexing the hips to about 75–90 degrees places the traction line so that the mid-lumbar region around L3–L4 is maximally loaded by the distraction. This makes L3–L4 the targeted segments during the pull, which is useful when symptoms or pathology are believed to originate there. Less hip flexion tends to bias higher lumbar levels, while extreme flexion or different angles bias other lower levels, so the 75–90-degree range is chosen specifically to engage L3–L4. If symptoms localize to other lumbar levels, the hip angle is adjusted accordingly.

In lumbar traction the position of the hips changes which spinal levels receive the most stretch. Increasing hip flexion alters the alignment of the lumbar spine relative to the traction vector, so different levels can be preferentially decompressed.

Flexing the hips to about 75–90 degrees places the traction line so that the mid-lumbar region around L3–L4 is maximally loaded by the distraction. This makes L3–L4 the targeted segments during the pull, which is useful when symptoms or pathology are believed to originate there.

Less hip flexion tends to bias higher lumbar levels, while extreme flexion or different angles bias other lower levels, so the 75–90-degree range is chosen specifically to engage L3–L4. If symptoms localize to other lumbar levels, the hip angle is adjusted accordingly.