A hip fracture in an elderly person is a terrible injury that raises disability and death. A fall on the greater trochanter of the femur causes the majority of hip fractures in the elderly.
Hip fractures are a leading cause of morbidity and death in the elderly. People aged 65 and over who have had a hip fracture are up to 3.5 times more likely to die within a year following surgery, according to studies.
Falling, generally in a sideways manner, causes 95% of hip fractures. Hip fractures are expected to increase to more than 6 million worldwide by 2050, owing to the aging population and the prevalence of hip fractures across the world.
But there’s no need to be alarmed! Hip protection for elderly that is of high quality might be really beneficial.
What is the purpose of a hip protector?
Hip protectors are underwear, shorts, or pants with specific padding on the sides designed to protect your hips in the event of a fall.
These goods are available in a number of styles, and from a range of firms, and the quality and efficacy of these products vary. Seniors who are at risk of falling and breaking their hips frequently utilize hip protectors for quality hip protection.
Hip protectors are usually used with underwear that has been developed expressly for them. Hip guards can be classified into three types:
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- Shields made of hard plastic create a protective barrier over the greater trochanter’s side. This shifts the power of the fall away from the hip and toward the thigh’s soft tissues;
- Soft pads that cover the side of the greater trochanter with a soft compressible cushion. Shock absorption is the goal of this design. The most prevalent pads, especially in residential elderly care, are these; and
- Hard shell sandwiched between two soft compressible cushions in a mixed hard and soft shield. Protects the greater trochanter by forming a barrier along the side. This is a shunting and shock-absorbent design.
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Is hip protector really effective?
Much research has been conducted throughout the years to determine the effectiveness of hip guards in preventing fractures in the elderly. The following is the current evidence:
In institutional settings, there is intermediate quality evidence for a slight decrease in hip fractures using hip protectors. There was also a modest rise in pelvic fractures with the usage of hip guards, according to the research. Medium-quality research suggests that hip protectors had little or no effect on hip fractures in the population.
What methods are used to assess hip characteristics?
Many elements are considered while doing a full examination of someone’s hip motions or prescription hip protectors, including:
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- Hip circumference or waist circumference;
- Muscle strength for movement in various directions usually measured via manual muscle testing; and
- Reflexes and coordination
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What is the greatest way to avoid falls and injuries as a result of them?
To reduce someone’s risk of falling, a thorough assessment by a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist is recommended.
According to extensive study, the most efficient way to reduce a person’s risk of falling is to combine:
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- Exercising your strength;
- Balance training at a high level;
- Exercising step response; and
- According to research, a person’s vitamin D levels, as well as their environment and equipment, might affect their risk of falling, such as footwear or glasses.
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Conclusion
We all know how important hip protectors are, especially for the elderly. Hip protectors are customized trousers or underwear with padding that are meant to prevent hip fractures after a fall.
We wanted to provide them with high-quality hip protection, such as Elder Armor USA’s well-known hip protection for the elderly. Get yours today or regret it later.
