Protection of the Elderly Hip by Padded Underwear

Hip fracture in the elderly (90% occur after age 70) claims 250,000 victims/year in the U.S. andcosts 6 to 12 billion dollars. Over 90% of cases result from fall-related hip impact in elderly personswith brittle bones. Medical therapy, fall prevention and exercise are only partially protective. Impactforce from a fall can be absorbed by padded underwear. We will develop comfortable, padded underwearthat can be concealed beneath outer clothing. Comfort, concealment, and ease of application areessential to ensuring frequent use. We will use drop weight testing to develop a pad design that willabsorb in excess of 90% of impact force from falls from standing. We will also test absorptiveproperties for resistance to temperature, ultraviolet light, drying in air, long term use, and frequentwashing. Effectiveness will be tested on volunteer human fallers and impact forces measured.Acceptability by elderly at risk for hip fracture will be assessed. Underwear to protect the hips of theincontinent will be produced and tested. A unique pad implantable sensor that counts falls, measurestheir intensity, and stores data will be perfected for Phase II efficacy trials of hip fracture prevention.Inexpensive hip padding marketed to the elderly may reduce hip fracture incidence.