Plantar Fasciitis Research: A Bibliometric Analysis From 2010-2024

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Plantar fasciitis is a prevalent degenerative foot condition impacting quality of life.
• Its multifactorial nature and varied treatment outcomes complicate understanding.
• Existing research is fragmented, hindering a holistic view of the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze the knowledge structure, research trends, and collaboration in plantar fasciitis literature.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of the field using bibliometric analysis.
• To identify influential research and emerging trends in plantar fasciitis.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of literature from the Web of Science database over the past 15 years.
• Quantitative assessment of publication trends, research output, and collaboration networks.
• Identification of core research areas, influential articles, and evolving research fronts.

Main Results:

• Publication trends show fluctuations, with the United States as a leading contributor.
• Harvard Medical School and Karl B. Landorf are prominent in research output and collaboration.
• Key research areas include "plantar fasciitis," "heel pain," and "extracorporeal shock wave therapy."
• Emerging trends involve "shear wave elastography," "plantar fascia thickness," and "systematic review" in musculoskeletal disease.

Conclusions:

• This bibliometric study organizes the plantar fasciitis research field.
• It offers valuable insights for future clinical practice and scientific investigation.
• Identifies key players, influential works, and future research directions.