Global Research Status and Trends of Tibial plateau fracture Over the Past 28 Years: A Historical Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Background:Tibial plateau fracture (TPF) is a complex intraarticular fracture that has been extensively researched. However, there has been a lack of bibliometric studies investigating global research trends in TPF. This study aims to analyze the knowledge framework, research hotspots, and thematic trends in the field of TPF research. Methods: Scientific outputs related to TPF from 1994 to 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Three bibliometric tools, namely CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and an online analytical platform, were employed for the analysis. The main analyses encompassed contributions from countries, publication and citation counts, institutions, authors, funding agencies, and journals, as well as keyword clustering. Results: A total of 884 articles were identified, and the number of annual publications on TPF exhibited a generally upward trend. China emerged as the most prominent contributor with the highest number of publications, while the United States had the largest H-index. Hebei Medical University made the most significant investment in this field. Professors Zhang Yingze, Luo Congfeng, Egol Kenneth A, and Chen Wei emerged as core authors in this field. The most productive journal was Injury-International Journal of the Care of the Injured. The keywords were clustered into six groups: Epidemiology and prognosis, Internal fixation and complications, Surgical protocol and finite element analysis, Diagnosis and new techniques, Complex fracture types, and Bone graft. These clusters showed a trend of balanced and diversified development. The ongoing outbreak keywords included "debris," "classification," "trauma," "posterolateral fracture," and "risk factors," which were considered as future research hotspots deserving more attention. Conclusions:Surgical protocols and bone defect filling materials for complex types of TPF have received increasing attention from orthopedic surgeons. It is anticipated that these research topics will continue to be significant and hold a prominent position in the near future.