Can a hip protector actually prevent a fracture if I have osteoporosis?

Hip protectors significantly reduce fracture risk but cannot guarantee prevention. CE Level 2 protectors limit force transmission to under 9 kN, and the best models transmit 5-7 kN. Hip fractures in osteoporotic bone can occur at forces as low as 3-5 kN, meaning even the best protectors cannot eliminate all risk. However, studies show that hip protectors reduce fracture incidence by approximately 50-60% when worn consistently. The key is that many skiing falls involve forces in the 10-20 kN range, where a protector reducing transmission to 5-8 kN can make the difference between a fracture and a severe bruise. Think of it as significantly reducing risk rather than eliminating it—similar to how a helmet reduces but doesn't eliminate head injury risk.