Joint fibrosis research from a multi-joint perspective: a bibliometric analysis, 2000-2025.

BACKGROUND

Joint fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by abnormal tissue repair, excessive extracellular matrix deposition, and fibrous adhesions. It can affect multiple joints and cause pain, restricted motion, and functional impairment. Existing research has largely focused on specific joints or surgical procedures, and the overall research landscape and literature distribution across joints have not been systematically characterized.

METHODS

Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection were searched using a strategy that combined a fibrosis-specific concept module with a joint anatomy module. After restriction, merging, and deduplication, 1,600 English-language articles and reviews were included. Bibliometric analyses were performed in R using bibliometrix, Biblioshiny, and ggplot2.

RESULTS

Publication output on joint fibrosis increased overall from 2000 to 2025, with an annual growth rate of 9.81%; annual publications rose from 19 in 2000 to 197 in 2025. Author keywords centered on arthrofibrosis and were closely associated with total knee arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, joint stiffness, postoperative complications, and functional recovery. Anatomical classification identified 1,143 knee-related publications, substantially more than for any other joint. Collaboration networks comprised several relatively concentrated author and institutional groups, while the United States occupied a central position in publication output, international collaboration, and the country collaboration network.

CONCLUSION

Within the available bibliographic data, joint fibrosis research was highly concentrated on the knee and focused primarily on joint arthroplasty, ligament reconstruction, and postoperative functional management. Future research should adopt standardized definitions and outcome measures, expand investigation to underrepresented joints, and integrate mechanistic and prospective clinical studies to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and management of joint fibrosis.