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Has anyone even heard of hip protectors for hip osteoporosis?
With a recent diagnosis of severe hip/femur osteoporosis I made a joke about just wrapping myself up in a yoga mat with duct tape. Then I wondered if anyone had invented external hip protection something. GPT said indeed yes and sent me links - these things are actually really well researched, there are plenty of studies and they're are used a lot in nursing homes. Advised by ortho docs if you think to ask them. The wild thing is that their independently studied rate of hip fracture prevention is 55% - 85% in the nursing facilities (not so much at home but that's because people aren't wearing them when they fall, doh.). That beats the meds. Obviously they don't prevent continuing bone deterioration, but if like me you're now scared to death of falling' it seems like a great idea. Some people just wear them all the time. I sprung for one - the Hipsafe Belt ranks high in an an independent test and looks most convenient. Too expensive and I'm pretty poor, but worth it at this point just for ease of mind. No idea if this will appeal to anyone else in here but thought I'd put it out there for the hip-vulnerable. (Not like posture braces which inhibit muscle use - just pads).
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@beccac and @evaontario - You have totally made my day with this recommendation for a hip protector. Thank you so much for posting this great information. Was not aware there was such a thing. I had a bad fall on Christmas Day last year while sledding with my grandkids (tripped on the rope on the sled, luckily nothing broke) and when my daughter-in-law asked if I wanted to go ice skating this year, which I love, I sadly said no (also did not take my bike out once this summer). I am definitely going to try out one of these hip protectors and try to have some fun.
Do still be careful though! The stats say that when properly fitted they eliminate many hip fractures, but not 100%! I love that they do but *along with* the ordinary extra care that we need to take with an osteoporosis diagnosis. I'd be horrified if anything in my posts encouraged someone to blithely ice skate and break their hip. I have grandkids too, hope you feel less afraid and have lots of fun, but please also find ways to do that that honor your vulnerability!
@beccac
I hear you! I did order a hip protector and am going to wear it outside in the mountains and maybe outside at home as well. I realized that I've never fallen in the house but have definitely fallen outside a number of times (twice with my heavy snow boots on). Now that I've been on this site I'm a little more sober about whether I want to do risky activities. I want to live a long life and see my grandkids grow up!
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1 ReactionOne more post in here - I decided to also purchase the SAFEHIP Active Hip Protector Belt and am very glad that I did. I like the panty one also, see above, but this one quite a bit better - it's extremely lightweight, worn over or under clothes, and super convenient to put on/remove compare to the panty. Also very comfortable and for hits the pad right where it's supposed to. (If you buy either of these you can find where that is by resting the heel of your hand on illium crest (google it, easy to find) - the bony bit you want under the pad is down and slightly back about a hand's width. You know you've got it if you can feel the bones move under your fingers when you walk. Adding this because I somehow had a hard time finding it.) Visiting wonderful daughter with kids and large very active dogs during slippery weather - I'll still be very very careful but these things are really effective and I'll feel less afraid. Yay!
@barb3 Me too! I understand why Pharma and etc. aren't going to promote a $100 garment over gazillion dollar meds with a tidy profit margin, but I don't understand why everyone with really vulnerable hips isn't wearing these things, with or without meds. But here's a toast to us! Be well!