Global Research Trends on Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear: A 20-Year Bibliometric Analysis

The medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) is a clinically significant injury recognized to accelerate cartilage degeneration. In recent years, research on MMPRT has expanded significantly, involving novel surgical techniques, biomechanical implications, and prognostic factors. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of MMPRT research focusing on research trends, predominant contributors, and emerging hotspots.

The Web of Science Core Collection served as the data source. Only original articles published in English from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2024, were considered eligible. The titles, authors, publication year, country, journals, keywords, and citation frequency were collected for comprehensive analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using the bibliometrix package in R, and VOSviewer was employed for network analysis and visualization, including co-citation analysis, coupling analysis, collaboration analysis, and co-occurrence analysis.

A total of 590 articles about MMPRT were included. Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy (KSSTA), American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM), and Arthroscopy-The Journal of Arthroscopic And Related Surgery (Arthroscopy) emerged as the three predominant journals through co-citation analysis and coupling analysis. Furumatsu T emerged as the most prolific author, and Laprade RF emerged as the most influential author. The United States was the top contributor in the field of MMPRT research, and the collaboration between Korean research institutions is very close. The most frequent keyword was Horn, occurring 161 times. The keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed meniscal repair techniques and prognosis, especially biomechanical consequences, as the research hotspots.

The field of MMPRT is undergoing rapid development, with the United States, Japan, and South Korea at the forefront of the world. It is expected that the field of MMPRT will remain active and achieve significant advancements. Presently, the research is focused on optimizing repair techniques and conducting biomechanical assessments. Our study provides valuable insights into future research directions and facilitates the translation of research findings into clinical practice.