2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (26): 4234-4241

Visualization analysis of current research hotspots on rehabilitation treatment after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Li Zhishuai1, Zhang Hongqian2, Liu Jianquan1, Zhang Hankun1, Li Li1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury and the need for surgical reconstruction are increasing year by year. The safety and speed of activity and movement recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction mainly depend on a scientific rehabilitation program.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the research status, hotspots and trends of rehabilitation therapy in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the past 11 years based on the scientific knowledge mapping using the CiteSpace software, attempting to provide ideas and reference for the subsequent research and clinical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
METHODS: The Web of Science (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, CCR-Expanded, IC) core collection database was retrieved for the literature related to rehabilitation treatment and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction published from 2010 to 2020. Scientific knowledge mapping and visualization analysis using CiteSpace were subsequently conducted.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 323 papers were included, and the number of published papers and total citation frequency in this field increased steadily in the past 11 years. A total of 101 journals have published articles related to this field. The research fields of the included journals are concentrated in sports science, rehabilitation, plastic surgery, and surgery, KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY is the journal that has the most publications. The top three countries with the most publications are the United States, Italy, and China, and the top three institutions with the most publications are Univ Delaware, Ohio State Univ, and Univ Groningen. Univ Delaware in the United States tops the list in terms of article amount and centrality. The team led by Lynn Snydermackler, a professor from the Department of Physical Therapy at the Univ Delaware, that has the most articles published in this field has a greater influence in this field. Literature co-citation analysis indicates the topics involved in the top five literatures include the timing of returning to sport level, evaluation indexes, knee joint function status and influencing factors, rehabilitation practice guidelines based on multidisciplinary consensus, risk rate of secondary injury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and related interventions. Keywords analysis indicates that research on rehabilitation training plan, return to sport and secondary injury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a hot topic in this field. All these findings reveal that relevant research on rehabilitation training after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been on the rise in recent 11 years. The focus in this field has been gradually shifted from local function of the knee joint to individual social participation. The research direction has gradually developed from the initial discussion of specific rehabilitation methods to guiding return to sport and avoiding secondary injury. Development of standards/guidelines for safe return to sport will be a future trend in this field.
Key words: rehabilitation training, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, research hotspot, visualization analysis, knee joint, CiteSpace, anterior cruciate ligament, rehabilitation treatment