Minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus: A global bibliometric analysis of the literature from 2005 to 2025.

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus (MIS-HV) has become a prominent topic in orthopaedic research, with a rapidly growing body of literature.

PURPOSE: This study provides a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on MIS-HV to identify publication trends, influential contributors, collaboration networks, and major research themes.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database for articles published between 2005 and 2025. The bibliometrix was used to extract and analyse data, including annual scientific production, author and country productivity, journal distribution, and bibliometric laws (Lotka's and Bradford's).

RESULTS

A total of 142 articles from 38 journals were analysed, involving 563 authors from multiple countries. Annual scientific production demonstrated a significant increasing trend with an annual growth rate of 16.7%. The authors with the highest number of publications were Lewis T.L. (n = 12). Foot & Ankle International was the journal with the highest number of publications with 31 publications (21.8%). Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed major research clusters centred on surgical techniques (MICA, chevron osteotomy), patient-reported outcomes (MOXFQ), and the underlying pathophysiology and anatomical characteristics of the deformity. Retrospective case series were the most common study design (n = 94), followed by prospective case series (n = 19), with only nine randomised controlled trials identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Research on MIS-HV has grown exponentially over the last decade, mirroring the global adoption of third and fourth-generation techniques. This analysis maps the field's intellectual structure and highlights key contributors, collaborative networks, and evolving research trends, while underscoring the critical scarcity of multicentre randomised controlled trials.

STUDY

DESIGN

Bibliometric analysis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.