Research trends in total knee arthroplasty in India: a five-year bibliometric analysis

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the fastest-growing orthopaedic procedures in India, driven by demographic transitions, increased life expectancy, and the rising burden of knee osteoarthritis. With expanding procedural volumes, periodic evaluation of scientific output is essential to identify evolving research priorities, institutional leadership, and collaborative patterns. This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of Indian TKA research published over the past five years.

Publications were retrieved from the Scopus database using a structured search strategy for TKA-related terms. The search was restricted to studies published between 1 January 2021 and 30 December 2025 and conducted in an Indian setting. Bibliometric indicators assessed publication trends, document types, journals, authorship, institutional productivity, and state-wise contributions. Network-based bibliometric visualizations were generated using VOSviewer.

A total of 860 publications were identified, showing a steady increase in research output with peak productivity in 2025 (n = 221). Maharashtra and Delhi were the leading contributors, and the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences was the most productive institution. Original research articles accounted for 69.5% of publications. Emerging themes included robotic-assisted surgery, AI-based modeling, and advanced rehabilitation. International collaboration was observed in 24.18% of studies, mainly with the UK and USA.

Indian TKA research has demonstrated substantial growth and increasing thematic maturity over the past five years, with a shift toward technology-driven and collaborative research. Strengthening national registries, encouraging multicentric collaboration, and expanding research beyond metropolitan centers are essential to sustain future impact.

Not applicable.