Search for a command to run...
Background Knee osteoarthritis (OA) represents a major cause of pain and disability among older adults. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a promising biologic therapy aimed at modulating inflammation and promoting cartilage repair. As the clinical use of PRP has expanded, a rapidly growing body of literature has developed examining its efficacy and mechanisms of action in knee OA. Bibliometric analysis provides a useful method to evaluate research productivity, collaborative networks, and emerging trends within a scientific field. Methods A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection database to identify publications related to PRP and knee osteoarthritis. The search strategy included the terms (“platelet-rich plasma” OR “PRP”) AND (“knee osteoarthritis” OR “knee OA”). No time restrictions were applied. Data regarding authorship, institutions, countries, journals, and funding sources were extracted. Network visualization of co-authorship relationships was performed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20). Descriptive analyses and graphical summaries were generated using Microsoft Excel. Results A total of 2,116 publications were identified. The co-authorship network demonstrated several highly influential investigators, including Filardo, Kon, Cole, and Boffa. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery and the American Journal of Sports Medicine were the most prolific journals, accounting for 95 and 93 publications respectively. The United States produced the highest number of publications (602), followed by China, Italy, and Spain. Institutional analysis demonstrated strong contributions from Harvard University and Rush University. Funding support was most frequently provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Conclusion Research on PRP for knee osteoarthritis has expanded substantially over the past decade, with contributions concentrated in a small number of countries and academic institutions. Continued collaboration, methodological standardization, and high-quality clinical trials will be essential to clarify the therapeutic role of PRP in the management of knee osteoarthritis.