Bibliometric Analysis of Outpatient Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Research Evolution

Total joint arthroplasty is an effective treatment for end stage osteoarthritis. As perioperative protocols are developed, outpatient arthroplasty has been gaining traction to facilitate earlier recovery and same day discharge. The aim of this manuscript is to analyze the trends in outpatient arthroplasty over a 17-year duration. This analysis seeks to predict emerging themes in the literature on patient optimization and outcomes in outpatient arthroplasty.

This study conducted a literature review on outpatient arthroplasty with the Web of Science Core Collection over a 17-year period between 2005 and 2022. Bibliometric data was imported and analyzed with Bibliometrix and VOSviewer.

198 articles were identified demonstrating an annual growth of 19.61% with notable bursts in 2017 and 2021. United States was the top global contributor followed by Canada and European nations. There were significant contributions across 219 institutions and 758 authors, with the Journal of Arthroplasty being the most productive and influential journals. Key themes identified include the feasibility of outpatient surgery, pain management, and perioperative complications and costs.

This bibliometric analysis highlights the ongoing growth and development within outpatient arthroplasty since 2005. The United States remain the global leader within outpatient related arthroplasty research. Previous, current, and ongoing trends are highlighted within this field for further development as hotspots.