Hip Protectors Won't Prevent Fractures in Elderly

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"Just padding the hip is not going to protect against fracture," said Dr. Gerard Varlotta, director of sports rehabilitation at New York University Medical Center's Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine/Hospital for Joint Disease.

Varlotta said that's because many fractures don't even occur as a result of impact but from the unnatural rotation of the hip in a fall. "Fractures often occur prior to impact," he said.

Varlotta and his colleagues are working on a hip protector that would keep the hip in proper alignment.

In an accompanying editorial, Finnish experts pointed out that because the hip-protecting device was one-sided, it's possible that it might have affected the way people stood or walked, possibly increasing the risk of falls. Kiel said the device weighed only two ounces, so he doubts it had much of an effect on gait or in causing people to fall more on the protected hip.

Kiel said there are more than a dozen types of hip protectors on the market, ranging from about $30 to as high as $175. But, he said, people need to know that most of these devices haven't been tested and haven't been proven effective. If they'd like to try them, he suggested asking your doctor which type has had positive clinical trial results.

Additionally, he said that it's important to try to reduce the risk of falls in the first place. Leg-strengthening exercises can help, as can limiting the use of sedating medications. If a medication makes you or someone you're caring for dizzy, ask the doctor if another medication that doesn't cause dizziness can be substituted. Additionally, be sure to remove throw rugs and any obstacles from the walking path and that the lighting is adequate, advised Varlotta.

More information

To learn more about preventing falls, visit the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.