External hip protectors in home-dwelling older persons.

Background And Aims: External hip protectors have been shown to have a good preventive effect against hip fractures in many studies. However, these studies were carried out either entirely or mostly among older persons living in institutions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether health nurses can, after brief training, choose the right persons to use external hip protectors, so that, with a fairly small number of protectors, the number of hip fractures in home-dwelling older persons in a given area could be significantly reduced.

Experiences with external hip protectors in homes for the aged: a report from Finland.

Objective: Three observational studies were performed to examine the use and effectiveness of external hip protectors intended to prevent hip fractures.

Methods: 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.

Observations: The use of external hip protectors is a good, cost-effective adjunctive tool in preventing hip fractures.