Hip resurfacing: case closed? A bibliometric analysis of the past 10 years.

INTRODUCTION: Hip resurfacing (HR) was introduced as a potential alternative to total hip arthroplasty (THA), indicated predominantly for younger, high demand patients. The modern metal-on-metal implant was popularized in the 1990s and early 2000s and promised greater wear resistance. However, its popularity waned due to increased rates of complications related to metal toxicity including pseudo-tumors as well as the recall of many resurfacing implants. The purpose of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis and investigate the current trends in hip resurfacing literature. METHODS: Using the keywords "hip resurfacing," publications between 2012 and 2022 were identified on Web of Science Core Collection of Clarivate Analytics. Results were screened for relevance by three independent reviewers using title, abstract, and full text. The retrieved data were evaluated by the bibliometric method. Included articles were imported into CiteSpace 5.7.R1, 64-bit (Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA), VOSviewer 1.6.15 (Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands), and the Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology to identify trends in publication. RESULTS: Search terms yielded 1200 results and 724 were included in final analysis. A steady decrease of publications was noted over the past decade with less than 40 articles published in 2020 and 2021. The Journal of Hip Arthroplasty (92), Hip International (74), and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (54) published the most articles. Authors from the United States and the United Kingdom published the most studies. High-frequency keywords in co-occurrence and co-cited cluster analysis were metal-on-metal, metal ions, wear, pseudo-tumor, and revision, demonstrating that long-term concerns have been the focus of most recent studies. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our bibliometric analysis allowed novel exploration and identification of the current research trends, contributions, and the distribution of publications exploring HR. The understanding of HR and the poor long-term outcomes of some resurfacing implants has improved significantly over the past decade, with the most recent focus on failure rates and long-term complications from metal debris. However, the breadth of literature has steadily declined in the past decade, and ultimately demonstrates the decline of scientific interest and focus on novel areas in hip resurfacing and a potential reached consensus.

Knee arthrodesis.

Arthrodesis is one of the last options available to obtain a stable, painless knee in a patient with a damaged knee joint that is not amenable to reconstructive measures. Common indications for knee arthrodesis include failed total knee arthroplasty, periarticular tumor, posttraumatic arthritis, and chronic sepsis. The primary contraindications to knee fusion are bilateral involvement or an ipsilateral hip arthrodesis. A variety of techniques has been described, including external fixation, internal fixation by compression plates, intramedullary fixation through the knee with a modular nail, and antegrade nailing through the piriformis fossa. Allograft or autograft may be necessary to restore lost bone stock or to augment fusion. For the carefully selected patient with realistic expectations, knee arthrodesis may relieve pain and obviate the need for additional surgery or extensive postoperative rehabilitation.