Current designs of hip protector are mechanically poorly understood as to the protection they offer to lateral force over the greater trochanter, and are poor in patient compliance. It was felt that a radical rethink was required as to the design concept of hip protectors and their acceptance by patients.
In our study, the forces and resulting stresses caused by falling on the hip, and the minimum force to cause fracture of the femoral neck, were estimated. A simple lifting weight test rig was designed and built to test four different materials for their impact force absorption.
The hip protector proposed was designed to prevent the greater trochanter from contacting the impact surface, in the event of a fall on the hip, and shunting the impact energy that has not been absorbed, into the muscles and soft tissue surrounding the greater trochanter. The protector is secured in position using an adhesive dressing, and does not require special underclothing.
Minns RJ, Rycraft AR, Nabhani F, Chuck A, Todd J, Connor CJ. The Design and Analysis of a New Trochanteric Hip Protector for the Elderly. Cleveland Medical Journal, 2001: 4.
Dr. R. Julian Minns, NGH Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel: +44 (0)191-233-6161.
Regional Medical Physics Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
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