Abstract

Purpose: An article's scientific impact has often been measured by the number of citations it receives. A citation analysis can help determine impactful works in medical specialties. The objective of this study is to describe the metrics and levels of evidence of articles on Hallux valgus.

Methods: This study reviewed the top 100 most cited articles available when searching for articles in an electronic database using the keywords “hallux valgus”, and “bunion”. Each article was examined for the number of citations, publication type, journal specialty, authorship, country of origin, year of publication, level of evidence, and total sample size.

Results: The number of citations ranged from 68 to 424. The 100 most cited articles were published in 24 journals, spanning from general to more specific subspecialty journals. 45% of articles were published by Foot and Ankle International. The most common level of evidence was V (34 out of 100 articles), and most articles were case series (n = 28) and expert opinion (n = 19). The median sample size in experimental studies was 44. Out of 100 articles, only 3 were randomized controlled trials.

Conclusions: The median year of most cited publications, 2003, suggests a need for newer studies reviewing Hallux valgus. The paucity of articles with an evidence level of 1 or 2 and a small median sample size suggests a lack of scientifically rigorous studies reviewing Hallux valgus. There is a weak positive correlation between strength of evidence and number of citations in the top 100 articles cited on Hallux valgus (r= 0.149).

Study design: Descriptive epidemiology study

Clinical relevance: The top 100 most-cited studies list will provide researchers, medical students, residents, and fellows with a foundational list of the most important and influential academic contributions to the hallux valgus disorders and their management.

What is known about this subject? : This is the only study of its kind addressing this aspect of current research on hallux valgus. Studies have examined the top 100 cited articles on other topics that follow a similar procedure. This is the only study of this kind assessing the correlation between the quality of evidence and number of citations in the top 100 articles pertaining to hallux valgus.

Level of clinical evidence: 5