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More than 300,000 hip fractures occur each year in the U.S., almost all related to falls by the elderly. Prior studies and meta-analyses of the efficacy of hip protectors (hard-shelled padded orthoses that are incorporated into underclothing to cover the greater trochanter) have had equivocal results. In a multisite controlled trial, 1042 nursing home residents (mean age, 85; mostly white women) were randomized by nursing home to wear a hip protector on either the right or left side; thus, each subject served as his or her own control. To assess adherence, nursing homes were visited unannounced three times per week during the 20-month study period.
Adherence averaged about 74%. Participants experienced a mean of four falls per year. The stud…