Association of obesity with high retears and complication rates, and low functional scores after rotator cuff repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Visualizing Trends and Bibliometric Study in Tissue Engineering for Rotator Cuff Injuries

This research is dedicated to uncovering the evolving trends, progressive developments, and principal research themes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for rotator cuff injuries, which spans the past two decades. This article leverages visualization methodology to provide a clear and comprehensive portrayal of the dynamic landscape within the field. We compiled 758 research entries centered on the application of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in treating rotator cuff injuries, drawing from the Web of Science Core Collection database and covering the period from 2003 to 2023. Analytical tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and GraphPad Prism were used. We conducted comprehensive analyses to discern the general characteristics, historical evolution, key literature, and pivotal keywords within this research field. This comprehensive analysis enabled us to identify emerging focal points and current trends in the application of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for addressing rotator cuff injuries. The compilation of 758 articles in this study indicates a consistent upward trajectory in publications concerning tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for rotator cuff injuries. The scholarly contributions from the United States, China, and South Korea have notable influence on the progression of this research area. The analysis delineated ten specific research subdomains, including fatty infiltration, tears, tissue engineering, shoulder pain, tendon repair, extracellular matrix (ECM), and platelet-rich plasma growth factors. Noteworthy is the recurrent mention of keywords such as "mesenchymal stem cells," "repair," and "platelet-rich plasma" throughout past two decades, highlighting their critical role in the evolution of the relevant field. This bibliometric analysis meticulously examines 758 publications, offering an in-depth exploration of the developments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for rotator cuff injuries between 2003 and 2023. The study effectively constructs a knowledge map, delineating the progressive contours of research in this domain. By pinpointing prevailing trends and emerging hotspots, the study furnishes crucial insights, setting a direction for forthcoming explorations and providing guidance for future researchers in this evolving field.

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears are the most common upper extremity condition seen by primary care and orthopaedic surgeons, with a spectrum ranging from tendinopathy to full-thickness tears with arthritic change. Some tears are traumatic, but most rotator cuff problems are degenerative. Not all tears are symptomatic and not all progress, and many patients in whom tears become more extensive do not experience symptom worsening. Hence, a standard algorithm for managing patients is challenging. The pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears is complex and encompasses an interplay between the tendon, bone and muscle. Rotator cuff tears begin as degenerative changes within the tendon, with matrix disorganization and inflammatory changes. Subsequently, tears progress to partial-thickness and then full-thickness tears. Muscle quality, as evidenced by the overall size of the muscle and intramuscular fatty infiltration, also influences symptoms, tear progression and the outcomes of surgery. Treatment depends primarily on symptoms, with non-operative management sufficient for most patients with rotator cuff problems. Modern arthroscopic repair techniques have improved recovery, but outcomes are still limited by a lack of understanding of how to improve tendon to bone healing in many patients.