Skin traction on the lower extremity is commonly used for femoral and pelvic fractures, treatment of low back strain, ruptured lumbar intervertebral disks, osteochondrosis of capital epiphysis of femur (Legg-Perthes disease), and a variety of other back and hip disorders. The proper application of the conventional adhesive straps or foam rubber strips, with elastic bandage compression, requires a moderate amount of experience and technical ability. It would be desirable to have a safe, effective skin traction device that could be applied by relatively untrained hospital personnel, ambulance drivers, and patients. This is especially true when traction is to be used intermittently or in the patient's home. Any device used for skin traction must adhere securely to the skin over an area wide enough to withstand the longitudinal pull that will tend to displace it in an axial direction. Moleskin or canvas-backed foam rubber strips, held under the compressive force of