[Hip protectors for prevention of hip fractures in the frail elderly people].

There are good indications for the use of hip protectors in the elderly people requiring long-term care with high risks for falling and even better indications when such elderly also have risks for osteoporosis. Based on criteria for enrollment in randomized controlled trials, elderly who are eligible for long-term care facilities but have not become bedridden should use hip protectors. The use of hip protectors as a preventive approach in long-term care facilities will successfully decrease the occurrence of hip fractures in such disabled elderly people.