Knowledge mapping of core decompression in osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), caused by disrupted blood supply leading to bone cell death and joint collapse, remains a critical orthopedic challenge. While core decompression has advanced significantly in ONFH treatment, no bibliometric analysis has mapped its research landscape.

Method: We analyzed 854 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (1986-2023) using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and bibliometrix.

Results: Publications surged from 5.4/year (1986-2001) to 52.3/year (2015-2023), reflecting intensified interest. China (253 articles, 29.6%) and the United States (232, 27.2%) dominated contributions, with Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University as top institutions. International collaborations linked China to the United States, Germany, and England. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research was the most cited journal (4708 citations). Keyword analysis revealed emerging hotspots: mesenchymal stem cells (19 occurrences), cell therapy, and angiogenesis. Citation bursts highlighted Mont MA's seminal work (burst strength: 19.67) on joint-preserving strategies and stem cell-enhanced core decompression.

Conclusion: This first bibliometric study delineates trends, collaborations, and frontiers in core decompression for ONFH, emphasizing the translational potential of stem cell therapies.