Hip protector

Hip protectors are special trousers are sewn to the protective elements, in order to protect the wearer from hip or femoral neck fracture and to prevent this. In addition to this protection, however, problems can arise as a lack of acceptance or of favoring a functional urinary or fecal incontinence. The cost of this preventive measure will not be applied in Germany by health insurance.

Operation

Hip or thigh fractures are usually due to a lateral fall on the femur, caused especially the neck, or the pelvis. To prevent this, hip protectors are made of a specially designed underwear, which are laterally incorporated in the hip pockets. These bags contain plate-like protective elements that exist in both hard and soft versions. Basically, there are hip protectors from the " helmet type " and " energy -absorbing type". The " helmet type " is derived from the other leading to the fracture force into the surrounding tissue, the " energy - absorbing type" this takes into itself and reduces them. Both systems can thus mitigate the impact force such that it does not lead to a fracture. Hip fractures are according to new study data apparently more common than previously thought: an estimated 141 per 100 000 population per year in Germany suffer a hip fracture. In order for these fractures can be described as common event. Icks et al had nationwide analyzed on the basis of hospital diagnosis statistics all cases of dismissal with a diagnosis of hip fracture in 2004. From 116 281 patients were calculated with at least one hospitalization per year due to hip fracture. This corresponds to an incidence of 141 per 100 000 population. So far, the incidence was due to data from a large nationwide health insurance estimated at 122 per 100 000 population. Hip fractures are a particularly feared complication in patients with osteoporosis except vertebral fractures. Because an estimated 30 percent of patients die within a year. And one out of three with hip fracture is permanently disabled.

Acceptance, use, use error

In trading a variety of hip protectors with different mechanisms of action is available. The effect of hip protectors has been confirmed in several studies, but the acceptance and proper use (compliance) is often too low. Redesigned and developed hip protectors can eliminate or prevent such problems eventually.

Two problems result in the rejection of the Protectors: difficulty and undressing and the local heating by a further layer undergarment that is not breathable. The incorporated in plastic protectors will not slip. Therefore, the support material is very tight and have to sit tight. This leads to normal heat and sweating, which many find unpleasant. One remedy offer in this case protectors that are glued with an adhesive surface directly on the thigh skin.

The on and off the protector pants to the toilet can be difficult for weak or mentally diminished powerful people. This leads firstly to an apparent urinary or fecal incontinence, because the toilet is not reached in time. On the other hand, the trousers are not, or not properly tightened used to avoid these functional incontinence. Then they are ineffective. In the presence of caregivers can be recommended here, early and often perform toileting under the guidance or assistance of the caregiver to avoid such " mishaps ".

Hip protectors are in Germany not as a tool by the statutory health insurance (SHI ) on prescription. Inclusion in the resource directory was rejected by the Statutory Health Insurance Funds Association, this resulted in a dispute with a distribution company for hip protectors. On 22 April 2009, the 3rd Division of the Federal Social Court (BSG ) rejected the complaint directed against it from under number B 3 LR 11/ 07 R. In support of the judgment has been said that hip protectors are not included in the resource directory of the SHI because they neither prevent an impending disability, nor serve to secure the success of treatment. Hip protectors are of the BSG opinion of a pure prevention of fall consequences - fall within the autonomous area of ​​life of those affected. The BSG left open the option that the hip protectors may also be received in the nursing resource directory. This would require, provided that the protectors enable the person concerned a more independent lifestyle and is used to facilitate maintenance. A decision on the inclusion in the list of nursing aids has not yet been taken.