Medication Adherence in Orthopaedic Patients: A Comparative Study Using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale in Ortho Care Unit of Tertiary Care Hospital

In a fast-developing country like India, the prevalence of osteoporosis and its associated complications is steadily increasing. Poor adherence to prescribed medications, particularly in chronic conditions, significantly raises the risk of adverse outcomes. Inadequate medication adherence can lead to suboptimal clinical results, increased healthcare costs, and accelerated disease progression. Developing focused clinical interventions that promote compliance and improve patient outcomes.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the management and adherence to medication therapy. Settings and Design:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted From October 2024 to November2025 in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Krishnagiri.A study involving orthopaedic patients with postoperative orthopaedic interventions or chronic conditions (such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis) was carried out at a tertiary care hospital. The Modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMS), comprising eight items, was administered to all participants to assess their adherence to prescribed medication.Patients were selected, including all age groups, diagnosis of an orthopaedic condition, and current medication use. Demographic data (age, gender, education level) and clinical factors (co-morbidities, laboratory findings) were also collected through structured questionnaires. To ensure objectivity, the author and three co-authors conducted statistical data analysis using Graph Pad Prism version 10 software. Our study identifies a distinct demographic profile of orthopaedic patients, highlighting that married women (79.87%), primarily housewives (33.19%), aged 41–60 years (37.75%), with low literacy levels (39.21%), and residing in rural areas (63.07%) are disproportionately affected by orthopaedic conditions. A strong association was observed between these demographic factors and the presence of comorbidities, with ulcers being particularly prevalent (77.17%). Medication non-adherence emerged as a major concern, largely influenced by fear of side effects, financial constraints, and a lack of awareness regarding the long-term impact of untreated conditions. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational interventions, particularly for housewives, to promote preventive strategies against bone fractures and osteoporosis, ultimately improving overall health outcomes