Quality, content, and reliability of lumbar spondylolisthesis-related videos on short-video platforms: A cross-sectional study of TikTok and Bilibili.

Short-video platforms have become prominent sources of health-related information for musculoskeletal conditions, yet the quality and reliability of content concerning lumbar spondylolisthesis remain insufficiently evaluated. This study aimed to systematically assess the characteristics, content composition, educational quality, and reliability of lumbar spondylolisthesis-related videos on TikTok and Bilibili. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on videos retrieved from TikTok and Bilibili on December 25, 2025. Eligible videos were evaluated for general characteristics, uploader type, presentation format, thematic content, and audience engagement. Educational quality and information reliability were assessed using the Global Quality Score, modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. Correlations between video characteristics, engagement metrics, and quality scores were analyzed. A total of 199 videos were included (TikTok: n = 105; Bilibili: n = 94). Overall, videos demonstrated moderate educational quality and limited reliability. Treatment-related content predominated, whereas epidemiology, prevention, and rehabilitation were infrequently addressed; notably, etiology ranked as the third most common topic on both platforms. Videos from orthopedic practitioners had higher mDISCERN and JAMA scores but low overall quality; Global Quality Score differed by uploader type and was not highest for orthopedic practitioners. Scientific popularization videos exhibited superior educational quality, while engagement metrics did not reliably reflect informational value. Video duration - particularly on Bilibili - was positively correlated with quality and reliability scores, whereas engagement indicators showed weak or negligible associations. Lumbar spondylolisthesis-related short videos on major platforms provide moderate educational value but show substantial deficiencies in reliability and content balance. Greater professional involvement and improved platform-level quality oversight are warranted to enhance the dissemination of accurate and high-quality health information.