Current status and trends in Hallux valgus research from 2004 to 2021: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract Background Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot and ankle surgery disease. The pathogenesis of HV may be closely related to the abnormal bone structure, soft tissue imbalance, shoe-wearing habits, heredity, and other factors. The surgical treatment of hallux valgus (HV) is the main way to relieve pain and improve functional outcomes. Research on hallux valgus (HV) is growing, but bibliometric literature is still lacking. In this study, bibliometric analysis was used to assess the study's focus, reported insights, and future directions in HV research. Methods Literature related to HV from 2004 to 2021 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-expanded) of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). VOSViewer and Rbibliometrix were used for bibliometric analysis, revealing the leading research countries, institutions, and authors, as well as the distribution of keywords. Results A total of 2002 records were identified for analysis. The United States had the most significant number of published articles and total citations. La Trobe University from Australia and Hospital for Special Surgery in the United States were not only the two institutions with the most publications, but also the highest collaborative network. Foot & Ankle International has the highest number of publications, the total citations, and the h-index. In addition, Menz HB, Coughlin MJ, and Hannan MT were the three most influential authors who might determine the focus and direction of the study. Keyword analysis identified three hot research clusters. "Percutaneous," "pronation," and "minimally invasive surgery" have received more attention in recent years. Conclusion Our research illustrated the current status and trends in the HV field from 2004 to 2021. The map of research on HV obtained by our analysis is expected to help researchers efficiently and effectively explore HV.