In patient education, what improves adherence after orthopaedic surgery?

• A. Clear written instructions, patient education, and scheduled follow-up
• B. Short hospital stay, high pain medication availability, and social media reminders
• C. Intensive therapy, no written materials, and unscheduled follow-ups
• D. Minimal instructions, IV antibiotics only, and home care

Answer: (A)

Clear written instructions, patient education, and scheduled follow-up work together to boost adherence after orthopaedic surgery. When instructions are written and easy to reference, patients know exactly what to do for wound care, medications, activity restrictions, and rehab steps, reducing confusion. Providing education helps patients understand the purpose behind each action, which builds confidence and motivation to follow through. Scheduled follow-up gives ongoing support, a check on progress, and an opportunity to clarify anything that’s unclear, address barriers (like pain or difficulty with exercises), and reinforce the plan. Without solid written materials and structured follow-up, understanding and consistency tend to wane, even if hospital stays are short or reminders come from other sources. This combination directly supports patients in sticking with postoperative care.