It is Time to Move Forward: A Bibliometric Analysis of Top 50 Cited Articles in Elbow Arthroscopy

Objectives To analyze the bibliometric characteristics of the top 50 cited articles in elbow arthroscopy. Methods The Web of Science Core Collection was employed to systematically retrieve publications related to elbow arthroscopy. Subsequently, the top 50 cited articles meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were meticulously documented and subjected to comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Results The top 50 cited articles spanned the years 1999 to 2017, with the 2010s emerging as the most prolific decade. Citations per article varied from 24 to 211, and citation density ranged from 1.61 to 9.17. The United States dominated in article production and citations. Predominantly, the articles took the form of case series and expert opinions, with a notable absence of level I or II evidence. The keywords with the highest frequencies were “arthrofibrosis,” “complications,” and “release.” These keywords formed five main clusters: stiff elbow, osteoarthritis, osteochondritis dissecans, and lateral epicondylitis. Conclusions The majority of the top 50 cited articles in elbow arthroscopy comprised case series exhibiting Level IV or V evidence. Despite a dynamic development post-2010, elbow arthroscopy articles showed lower mean citations and citation density compared to other joints, potentially influenced by concerns about complications. However, with the increasing prevalence of elbow arthroscopy procedures, it is anticipated that higher-level articles, particularly those focusing on complications and exploring additional indications, will supersede some of the articles included in this analysis. Level of evidence IV.