Randomised controlled trial of hip protectors for the prevention of second hip fractures

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.