Top 100 Cited ACL Injury Publications for Future Trend and Hotspot in the Recent 10 Years

This study explores the top 100 most-cited articles on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries from the past decade to summarize the current state of research and identify emerging trends. The goal is to provide a theoretical basis for future research directions in this field.Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we analyzed the 100 most-cited ACL papers, identifying key contributors, research trends, and evolving focus areas.The analysis included a total of 100 highly cited articles on ACL injury published over the past decade. The articles spanned 23 countries. Geographical distribution: The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Key institutions: Ohio State University (United States) and La Trobe University (Australia). Leading authors: Timothy E. Hewett from Marshall University and Kate E. Webster from La Trobe University. Journals: The American Journal of Sports Medicine and the British Journal of Sports Medicine.This study identifies key trends in ACL injury research, including personalized rehabilitation, psychological factor integration, osteoarthritis prevention, dynamic assessment standardization, and surgical improvements. By analyzing the most-cited studies from the past decade, we provide a focused understanding of current priorities and actionable insights into enhancing ACL injury prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery outcomes.