Mäki-Jokela Päivi, Valvanne Jaakko, Jäntti Pirkko, Heikinheimo Rauno
Kaleva Health Center, Tampere, Finland.
J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2002 Jan-Feb;3(1):29-31.
Three observational studies were performed to examine the use and effectiveness of external hip protectors intended to prevent hip fractures.
Data were collected by: (1) questionnaire to health centers or homes for the aged to which hip protectors had been sent; (2) comparison of users of hip protectors and control subjects;(3) comparison of users of hip protectors, comparing time wearing versus not wearing their hip protectors for part of the study period.
The use of external hip protectors is a good, cost-effective adjunctive tool in preventing hip fractures. However, improvements in design are still needed to increase compliance.
