The 50 most cited articles on patellofemoral instability: A bibliometric and network analysis of research trends and impact

IF 1.5 Q3 ORTHOPEDICS

Journal of orthopaedics Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jor.2025.06.026

Alexander Price , Nicolaas Kotze , Xander van Heerden , Gerard A. Sheridan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Patellofemoral instability remains a complex clinical challenge, especially among adolescents and young adults. While research in this area has expanded considerably, few studies have comprehensively examined the most influential literature shaping current knowledge and guiding clinical practice.

Methods

The top 50 most cited articles related to patellofemoral instability were identified using Publish or Perish software (Version 8, Harzing.com) to access data from Google Scholar. Citation metrics, study characteristics (e.g. design, level of evidence, origin, journal), and thematic foci were extracted. Keyword network mapping was conducted using Gephi to identify dominant research themes.

Results

Citation counts ranged from 179 to 2,295, with a median of 276. Most studies were published after 2005 and were predominantly Level IV and V evidence. Surgical reconstruction, especially medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) procedures, was the prevailing research focus. Geographically, 40 % of studies originated from the United States of America (USA), followed by France and the United Kingdom (UK). Thematic clustering revealed three main domains: surgical reconstruction, anatomical diagnostics, and clinical outcomes. Non-operative treatment modalities and rehabilitation were notably under investigated.

Conclusion

This study provides an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the most influential literature regarding patellofemoral instability. It highlights persistent gaps in high-level evidence, conservative treatment approaches, and global representation. These findings offer a strategic direction for future research, emphasizing the need for high-level evidence that is both inclusive and patient-focused to better guide clinical practice.

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髌股不稳定的50篇被引用最多的文章：研究趋势和影响的文献计量学和网络分析

髌骨不稳仍然是一个复杂的临床挑战，特别是在青少年和年轻人中。虽然这一领域的研究已经大大扩展，但很少有研究全面考察了塑造当前知识和指导临床实践的最有影响力的文献。方法使用Publish or Perish软件（Version 8, Harzing.com）访问谷歌Scholar数据库，选取被引次数最多的髌股不稳相关文献50篇。提取引文指标、研究特征（如设计、证据水平、来源、期刊）和主题焦点。使用Gephi进行关键词网络映射，以确定主导研究主题。结果scitation计数范围为179 ~ 2295，中位数为276。大多数研究发表于2005年之后，主要是IV级和V级证据。手术重建，特别是内侧髌股韧带（MPFL）手术，是目前的研究重点。从地理上看，40%的研究来自美国，其次是法国和英国。主题聚类揭示了三个主要领域：手术重建，解剖诊断和临床结果。非手术治疗方式和康复是值得研究的。结论：本研究对髌股不稳最有影响的文献进行了最新和全面的分析。它强调了在高水平证据、保守治疗方法和全球代表性方面持续存在的差距。这些发现为未来的研究提供了战略方向，强调需要高水平的证据，既包容又以患者为中心，以更好地指导临床实践。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of orthopaedics ORTHOPEDICS-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

6.70%

发文量

202

审稿时长

56 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Orthopaedics aims to be a leading journal in orthopaedics and contribute towards the improvement of quality of orthopedic health care. The journal publishes original research work and review articles related to different aspects of orthopaedics including Arthroplasty, Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, Trauma, Spine and Spinal deformities, Pediatric orthopaedics, limb reconstruction procedures, hand surgery, and orthopaedic oncology. It also publishes articles on continuing education, health-related information, case reports and letters to the editor. It is requested to note that the journal has an international readership and all submissions should be aimed at specifying something about the setting in which the work was conducted. Authors must also provide any specific reasons for the research and also provide an elaborate description of the results.