Electrostrategies in orthopaedic research

Electrostrategies encompassing electrical stimulation and biomaterials with conductive or piezoelectric properties have garnered escalating interest within the orthopaedic research domain. We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 2810 publications on electrostrategies in orthopaedic research a field for which no extensive overview has been provided to date. This study highlighted two main phases of progress since 1980 indicating an increasing emphasis on electrostrategies. We identified key contributors including institutions and authors with concentrated activity in North America, Europe and Asia. The study also outlined the most influential and co-cited journals in this domain. Our keyword analysis underscored "electrical-stimulation" "bone" and "in vitro" as prevalent themes with a significant focus on the effects of electrical stimulation on bone growth proliferation differentiation and its applications in bone surgeries. The keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed four major thematic clusters: "electrical-stimulation" "bone" "surgery" and "bone-mineral density." Our findings underscored essential research directions such as the manufacturing and application of conductive and piezoelectric biomaterials and electrically-guided stem cell differentiation. The study also pointed out the potential to enhance orthopaedic treatment methods and patients' quality of life. Future research should focus on refining electrical stimulation conditions developing new piezoelectric materials and advancing personalised tissue engineering strategies. In conclusion this study illuminates the global trends and emerging hotspots of electrostrategies in orthopaedic research providing a valuable reference for its further application and understanding in the field.