The prescription orthopedic drugs market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market size of prescription orthopedic medicines has experienced noticeable growth in the past few years. There is an anticipated growth from $48.41 billion in 2024 to $51.55 billion in 2025, maintaining a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.
This growth during the historical period can be credited to factors such as the increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, rising geriatric population, heightened awareness of osteoporosis treatments, extended healthcare access in developing regions, and a global rise in sports-associated injuries.
The prescription orthopedic drugs market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• In the upcoming years, a robust growth is anticipated in the market of prescription orthopedic drugs, swelling it to $65.32 billion by 2029 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%.
The predicted growth in this market can be credited to several factors including the rising demand for biologics, a growing aged population, improved access to healthcare in developing markets, increased chronic musculoskeletal disorders, and heightened investments in research and development of orthopedic drugs. Key trends predicted during this period encompass advancements in targeted biologics, embracing regenerative medicine therapies, personalized drug preparations, improvements in minimally invasive delivery techniques, improved drug efficacy via gene therapy, groundbreaking injectable formulations, and technological advancements in artificial intelligence for the development of drugs and clinical decision-making.
The growth of the prescription orthopedic drugs market is set to be propelled by the rising occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders, which include injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system's function and movement—namely muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints—lead to pain and decreased mobility. An upsurge in musculoskeletal disorders can be attributed to aging, jobs involving repetitive movements and bad postures, sedentary lifestyles, malnutrition, and genetic factors. Prescription orthopedic drugs are vital for managing these disorders by easing pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing—thereby enhancing mobility and overall life quality. For instance, in March 2023, the UK's Office for Health Improvement and Disparities reported that in 2022, 17.6% of individuals aged 16 and above claimed to have a long-term musculoskeletal condition such as arthritis or continuous back or joint problems, an increase from 17.0% in 2021. Furthermore, as per the World Health Organization, a Switzerland-based intergovernmental organization, in July 2022, approximately 1.71 billion people globally were suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, the escalating prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is leading to the expansion of the prescription orthopedic drugs market.
The prescription orthopedic drugs market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Drug Type: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Opioids, Corticosteroids, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), Other Drug Types
2) By Application: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Other Applications
3) By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies
Subsegments:
1) By Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Celecoxib, Indomethacin
2) By Opioids: Morphine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl, Tramadol
3) By Corticosteroids: Prednisone, Methylprednisolone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Betamethasone
4) By Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine, Leflunomide, Sulfasalazine, Azathioprine
5) By Other Drug Types: Bisphosphonates, Calcitonin, Monoclonal Antibodies, Muscle Relaxants, Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Big firms in the prescription orthopedic drugs market are strategizing on broader applications for their medicines, aiming to widen their market penetration, improve patient results, and cater to the unmet healthcare needs in several orthopedic conditions. Heron Therapeutics Inc., a biotech firm based in the US, for example, received approval from the FDA in January 2023 to extend usage of ZYNRELEF (bupivacaine and meloxicam) in orthopedic and soft tissue procedures, inclusive of foot and ankle surgeries. The extended-release solution is distinctly formulated to offer sustained pain relief for up to 72 hours, decreasing or totally eliminating the dependence on opioids post-surgery. The extended usage now covers extra orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries, including foot and ankle operations, thus increasing its use in clinical environments. The groundbreaking combination of two drugs provides both local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory advantages, establishing it as a holistic choice for handling post-surgical pain, improving patient results.
Major companies operating in the prescription orthopedic drugs market are:
• Pfizer Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Roche Holding AG
• Merck KGaA
• AbbVie Inc.
• Bayer AG
• Sanofi S.A.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• AstraZeneca plc
• GSK Plc
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Amgen Inc.
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Mylan N.V.
• Biogen Inc.
• UCB S.A.
• Allergan plc
• Penardo Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
• Horizon Therapeutics plc
North America was the largest region in the prescription orthopedic drugs market in 2024. The regions covered in the prescription orthopedic drugs market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.