Risk of hip fractures in soft protected, hard protected, and unprotected falls
Bentzen. H, Bergland. A, Forsén. L. 2008. Injury Prevention.
1236 participants took part in the study in 18 Norwegian nursing homes. The nursing homes were randomized to offer either soft or hard hip protectors. The objective of the study was to compare hip fracture risk in soft and hard protected falls, with the risk in unprotected falls. Then to compare the incidence of hip fractures in nursing homes that provide soft and hard protectors for their residents.
Hip protectors used in the study were SAFEHIP® Soft and SAFEHIP® Hard.
The conclusion of the comparison between hip fractures in soft protected, hard protected, and unprotected falls shows that both types of hip protectors have the potential, when worn correctly, to reduce the risk of a hip fracture in falls by nearly 60 %. Both can be recommended to nursing home residents as a means of preventing hip fractures.
