Question: In older adults, how effective is the use of hip protectors, compared to not using hip protectors / any other intervention, for reducing injury from falls?

Answer:

One well conducted review of 19 studies (around 17 000 participants) found that providing hip protectors to older people in nursing care facilities is likely to lead to a small decrease in hip fractures but may lead to an increase in pelvic fractures. Providing hip protectors to older people living at home had no effect on fracture incidence. The risk of adverse events is low but adherence may be a problem, especially long term. These findings are likely to be reliable.

To view the full summary, click the Download Document link to the right.

To view the Cochrane review which is included in this summary, click the Related Document link, below.