Effectiveness of hip protectors: Wider picture is important

doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7543.729-a

BMJ 2006;332:729 (25 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7543.729-a

Letter

Effectiveness of hip protectors

Wider picture is important

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—I am sure that many of us at the "sharp end" ofhip fracture management will not be surprised at the findingsexpressed by Parker et al that hip protectors may not be effectivein preventing hip fractures.¹ In many cases, a careful history(where the patient's circumstances permit) will show that thefracture preceded the fall and was its cause, not its result.Ideal confirmation of this comes when the sound of the fracturehas been heard by a bystander or carer, but in the nature ofthings this occurs in only a small number of cases: it may nonethe less represent the commonest sequence of events and pointto the underlying pathological process.

Prevention of hip fractures must be directed to a much earlierstage of life, before the "at risk" age group is reached. Successfulprophylactic measures may be effective for the next generations,. . . [Full text of this article]

Kenneth Nesbitt, accident and emergency specialist (retired)

Magherafelt BT45 5HB k.nesbitt@doctors.net.uk

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Effectiveness of hip protectors for preventing hip fractures in elderly people: systematic review: Martyn J Parker, William J Gillespie, and Lesley D Gillespie
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