Evidence mapPaperPMID 40808774Full record

ArticleRegenerative therapy2025

Hydrogel in musculoskeletal diseases: Unraveling trends, research foci, and future trajectories via bibliometric insights (from 2000 to 2025).

Weibei Sheng, Siyang Cao, Haotian Qin, Peng Liu, Deli Wang, Jian Weng, Hui Zeng, Fei Yu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Regenerative therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Weibei ShengDepartment of Bone & Joint Surgery, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Orthopaedic Biomaterials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Diseases and Biomaterials Research, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
Siyang CaoDepartment of Orthopaedics, Sports Injury Division, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
Haotian QinDepartment of Bone & Joint Surgery, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Orthopaedic Biomaterials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Diseases and Biomaterials Research, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
Peng LiuDepartment of Bone & Joint Surgery, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Orthopaedic Biomaterials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Diseases and Biomaterials Research, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
Deli WangDepartment of Bone & Joint Surgery, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Orthopaedic Biomaterials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Diseases and Biomaterials Research, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
Jian WengDepartment of Bone & Joint Surgery, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Orthopaedic Biomaterials, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Diseases and Biomaterials Research, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
Hui ZengDepartment of Orthopedic Trauma, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Affiliated with Shenzhen University's First Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
Fei YuDepartment of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Affiliated with the First Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Hydrogels, owing to their excellent biocompatibility, tunable physicochemical properties, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, have emerged as promising materials for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, and bone injuries. Recent advancements in smart hydrogels and multifunctional composites have further broadened their applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. However, despite growing interest in this field, current reviews often lack systematic, data-driven insights into the evolving research landscape. Methods: To address this gap, we conducted a bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to quantitatively map the development of hydrogel-related research in musculoskeletal disorders over the past two decades. Key parameters analyzed included publication trends, influential countries and institutions, collaborative networks, keyword evolution, and research hotspots. Results: Our analysis revealed a steady growth in publications, with China and the United States emerging as leading contributors. Prominent institutions and authors were identified, along with landmark publications that have shaped the field. Keyword co-occurrence analysis highlighted emerging themes such as injectable hydrogels, 3D bioprinting, and osteochondral regeneration. The most frequently studied disease targets included osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, and bone defect repair. Conclusions: This comprehensive bibliometric overview offers valuable insights into the current status and future directions of hydrogel research in musculoskeletal disorders. It highlights key trends, influential contributors, and emerging hotspots, providing a solid foundation for advancing interdisciplinary collaborations and accelerating the clinical translation of hydrogel-based therapies.

Indexed as

Bibliometric analysisCartilage regenerationDrug deliveryHydrogelsMusculoskeletal disordersTissue engineering

Identifiers

PMID40808774
PMCPMC12347387

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.