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Hip Protectors Appear to Prevent Hip Fractures
Efforts to prevent hip fracture in the elderly are usually directed either at minimizing osteoporosis or reducing the probability of falling. This study from Finland evaluated a third option: hip protectors. These are padded protective shields that cover the proximal femur and shunt the energy of an impact away from the greater trochanter. They are worn in pockets on specially designed undergarments.
Researchers randomly assigned 1801 ambulatory but frail elderly people (mean age, 82) to a hip-protector group or a control group. Half of the subjects had fallen during the previous 12 months; half used a cane or walker; about 60 percent had impaired mental status. During an average follow-up of about a year, the rate of hip fracture was significantly lower in the hip-protector group than in the control group (21 vs. 46 fractures per 1000 person-years), even though people in the hip-protector group wore the devices only half the time. Within the hip-protector group, the fracture rate was markedly reduced while people wore the device (0.4 fractures per 100 falls while wearing vs. 2.4 while not wearing). For every 41 people using hip protectors, 1 hip fracture per year was prevented.
Comment: Although hip protectors are already commercially available, these data on efficacy are the most convincing to date. An editorialist strongly encourages their use for people at high risk for fracture.
— AS Brett
Published in Journal Watch General Medicine December 1, 2000
Citation(s):
Kannus P et al. Prevention of hip fracture in elderly people with use of a hip protector. N Engl J Med 2000 Nov 23 343 1506-1513.
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- Medline abstract (Free)
Rubenstein L. Hip protectors -- A breakthrough in fracture prevention. N Engl J Med 2000 Nov 23 343 1562-1563.
- Original article (Subscription may be required)
- Medline abstract (Free)