Evolution of journal rankings in orthopedics and sports medicine (2000-2024) : A SCImago-based bibliometric analysis

Academic journals are fundamental to scientific communication, facilitating the dissemination of research findings that spur innovation across clinical and scientific fields. Journal rankings provide valuable insights into the influence and credibility of scholarly outlets.

This study analyzes the evolution of journal rankings in orthopedics and sports medicine (OSM) from 2000 to 2024, using SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) data to uncover trends in journal prestige and regional representation.

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed using SCImago data, comparing journal rankings over 25 years. Key metrics included SJR values and citation counts across orthopedic and sports medicine journals. Statistical significance was assessed using an Independent samples Kruskal-Wallis test.

The analysis revealed a significant average increase of 36.6% in the SJR of leading OSM journals over the study period. Notably, only 12% of the top ranking journals originated from non-western regions, indicating a geographic bias. Sports medicine-focused journals showed a higher average SJR of 1.75, compared to 1.40 for orthopedic journals (p < 0.05). A global median of 28.7% of female authors was found, reflecting ongoing gender disparities in authorship within OSM.

The findings highlight marked shifts in journal prestige in the OSM field over 25 years, alongside persistent regional biases that may disadvantage high-quality research from non-western regions. The study underlines the importance of awareness regarding these dynamics for stakeholders in making decisions related to publication strategies and funding. Future research should further explore the impact of emerging subfields and the role of open-access publishing in shaping journal rankings in OSM.