Citation

Birks YF, Hildreth R, Campbell P, Sharpe C, Torgerson DJ, Watt I. Age Ageing 2003; 32(4): 442-444.

Affiliation

Department of Health Sciences (Research), Seebhom Rowntree Building, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK. yfb1@york.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12851191

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to assess whether the use of Safehip

hip protectors would prevent second hip fractures among men and women living in

the community. DESIGN: pragmatic randomised controlled trial. SETTING: people

living in the community. PARTICIPANTS: men and women aged 70 years and over who

had sustained one hip fracture and who were living in the community. RESULTS:

366 men and women who were either living outside residential care or were about

to be discharged back home were randomised to receive three pairs of hip

protectors or to act as controls. Approximately 34% of participants allocated to

receive hip protectors wore them every day. After a median follow up of 14

months 8 participants had a second hip fracture with 6 in the intervention and 2

in the control group (Odds Ratio for second hip fracture=3.10, 95% confidence

interval 0.62-15.58). Hip protectors had no effect on risk of other fractures or

on falls. CONCLUSION: this trial does not suggest a benefit of the studied hip

protector among people living outside residential accommodation.