Cluster analysis and visualization of keywords in papers on rotator cuff injuries published by international investigators

Abstract

Introduction. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that in everyday life rotator cuff injuries are found in a wide range of population cohorts, varying from 10 to 15 % in younger adults and up to 20–30 % in patients aged 60 years and over. The significance of social and economic effects are therefore noteworthy.The objective of this study is to perform a cluster analysis and visualization of keywords in international publications on rotator cuff injuries using the VOSviewer software.Methods. The study analyzes publications related to rotator cuff injures published from 2013 to 2022 and selected from the PubMed international reference and bibliographic database for ‘Rotator Cuff Injuries’ search query. A total of 5,444 results were retrieved and relevant bibliographic information was uploaded in “.txt” format into the analytical software VOSviewer 1.6.20.Results and analysis. With the coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.96), the polynomial trend of article dynamics showed an increase in the number of publications. The average annual number of articles was (653 ± 48). With 10 repetitions, 504 keywords were analyzed and combined subsequently into 7 clusters. Cluster 1 was called ‘Trauma and injuries of the rotator cuff and tendons’. It contained 32.9 % of papers, with the total link strength of keywords 30.7 %. Cluster 2 titled ‘Results of arthroscopic reconstruction of rotator cuff injuries contained 27.7 % of papers with a total link strength of 27.5 %. Cluster 3 ‘Anatomy of the shoulder joint’ yielded 17.5 % and 17.4 % respectively; Cluster 4 ‘Biomechanics of the shoulder joint and rotator cuff’ – 7.3 % and 7.8 %; Cluster 5 ‘Postoperative analysis of surgical reconstruction of rotator cuff injuries’ – 7.1 % and 7.5 %; Cluster 6 ‘Surgical approaches (techniques) in the reconstruction of rotator cuff injuries’ – 4.6 % and 4.8 %; Cluster 7 ‘Structural reconstruction of shoulder function following reconstructive surgical of rotator cuff injuries’ – 3.9 % and 4.8 %. Leading authors and research schools were identified as well.Conclusion. The results provided an insight into the areas of research over the past 10 years and hence have provided information support for scientists and practitioners dealing with traumatic rotator cuff injuries.