Global Research Trends in Orthobiological Treatments for Osteoarthritis: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease associated with pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life. Interest in orthobiological treatments, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), exosomes, and biomaterial-based approaches has increased markedly in recent years. This study was aimed at investigating the bibliometric characteristics, research trends, and future directions of scientific literature on orthobiological treatments in OA. Methods: Publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) between 2000 and 2026 were searched on 3 June 2026 using keywords related to OA and orthobiological therapies. The WoSCC was selected because it provides standardized citation data and comprehensive coverage of high-impact scientific journals for bibliometric analyses. In the study, 7875 publications were included. Bibliometric analyses were performed using the Bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny interface. Publication trends, country and institutional contributions, influential publications, keyword patterns, trending topics, and thematic structures were analyzed. Results: Scientific production on orthobiological treatments in OA increased substantially, particularly after 2015, with an annual growth rate of 22.8%. China was the most productive country, whereas the United States had the highest scientific impact. The most productive institutions were mainly universities in China. The most frequent keywords were "osteoarthritis," "mesenchymal stem cells," "platelet-rich plasma," "knee osteoarthritis," and "cartilage." Trend analyses indicated a shift from PRP- and stem cell-based applications toward emerging regenerative strategies, including exosomes, extracellular vesicles, biomaterials, and controlled drug delivery systems. Thematic mapping demonstrated that MSCs and cartilage regeneration formed the central research axis. Conclusions: While MSCs and PRP remain key research topics in orthobiological treatments for OA, exosomes, biomaterials, and smart drug delivery systems are attracting increasing attention as crucial areas for future research.