Hip fractures among older adults are a significant public health concern, contributing to high morbidity, increased mortality rates, and substantial healthcare costs. These fractures often lead to a marked decline in quality of life, as they can result in prolonged recovery periods, loss of independence, and a greater need for long-term care.
To address this issue, various strategies for hip fracture prevention have been explored, with fall prevention being a key focus. Among the interventions developed, hip protectors stand out as a practical solution designed to minimize the impact of falls. These wearable devices are available in two primary forms: external hip protectors, which are worn over clothing, and integrated hip protectors, which are discreetly built into undergarments. Both designs aim to absorb and disperse the force of a fall, thereby reducing the risk of hip fractures.
To date there are a number of hip protectors on the market and these include:
1. SafeHip
- Safe is a well recognized brand with a variety of hip protectors with versions of both external and intergrated designs.They use energigy dispersal to protect the bones.
2. HIPS®
- Hips provides flexible and and hard shield hip protectors that can be intergrated into normal clothing.
3. Impactwear®
- This focuses on comfort and safety providing light weight and flexible wearable material that can produce significant impact protection.
4. HipSaver
- HipSaver products are known for their soft, flexible pads integrated into underwear. They are designed for comfort and are available in various styles for men and women.
5. ProtecHip
- This brand offers integrated hip protectors in both washable and disposable options, focusing on reducing the severity of falls with shock-absorbing pads.
6. G-Form®
- Originally known for sports protection gear, G-Form has developed hip protectors that are lightweight and flexible, using reactive protection technology that stiffens on impact.
7. FallGuard™
- FallGuard offers hip protectors with padded shorts and undergarments, focusing on protecting the elderly from fractures during falls.
8. Pelican Hip Protectors
- A brand that offers various types of hip protectors, including those with built-in pockets to hold protective pads.
9. McDavid® Hip Protectors
- McDavid offers hip protector shorts with lightweight, impact-absorbing padding, commonly used in both medical and sports applications.
10. Suprima® Hip Protectors
- Suprima is known for producing a range of protective garments, including hip protectors that are integrated into washable and reusable underwear.
These brands and types cover a broad spectrum of designs and technologies, catering to different needs and preferences in hip protection.
