Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (25): 6643-6653.doi: 10.12307/2026.291

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Visualization analysis on research literature about animal models for osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Bai Ruokun, Mo Jian, Han Jie, Li Kunjian, Nie Xiayu, Chen Shuai   

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2025-10-15 Revised:2025-12-21 Online:2026-09-08 Published:2026-04-23
  • Contact: Mo Jian, MD candidate, Chief physician, Master's supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Bai Ruokun, MS candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    Guangxi Natural Science Foundation Project (General Program), No. 2024GXNSFAA010370 (to MJ); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82260858 (to HJ)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a refractory disorder characterized by osteocyte apoptosis and structural collapse of the femoral head. Its pathogenesis is closely associated with vascular injury, dysregulated bone metabolism, and aberrant mechanical stress. In recent years, animal models have served as indispensable tools for simulating pathological processes, playing an irreplaceable role in elucidating molecular mechanisms of osteonecrosis of the femoral head and evaluating novel interventions. Nevertheless, the standardization of model development and their clinical translational value require systematic investigation.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the research landscape in the field of osteonecrosis of the femoral head using bibliometric approaches, with an emphasis on evaluating the application characteristics, limitations, and future optimization directions of animal models in study design, providing a reference for advancing mechanistic understanding and therapeutic development.
METHODS: Literature published between January 2015 and March 2025 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-Expanded) using the search strategy: TS=(osteonecrosis of the femoral head) AND TS=(mouse OR mice OR rat OR rabbit OR dog OR swine OR pig OR sheep OR monkey OR “laboratory animal” OR “experiment animal”). Simultaneously, Chinese literature was screened from CNKI and WanFang databases (January 2015–March 2025) with the query: SU=(osteonecrosis of the femoral head) AND SU=(mouse OR mice OR rat OR rabbit OR dog OR swine OR pig OR sheep OR monkey OR “laboratory animal” OR “experiment animal”). CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software was employed to visualize publication countries, institutions, authors, keywords, and co-cited references. Research trends were synthesized by integrating animal model classifications and application features.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Among English publications, China contributed over 80% of studies (n=458). Research hotspots focused on steroid-induced necrosis mechanisms (e.g., oxidative stress-autophagy axis), stem cell/tissue engineering therapies, and traditional Chinese medicine interventions. Analysis revealed that osteonecrosis of the femoral head animal model research exhibits a “high output–weak collaboration” pattern. (2) In Chinese literature, traditional Chinese medicine-related institutions dominated publications, with traditional Chinese medicine interventions and steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head representing major research foci. (3) Future efforts should prioritize cross-species validation platforms, multi-omics integration, and synergistic development strategies for Chinese and Western medicines to accelerate clinical translation.


Key words: osteonecrosis of the femoral head, animal models, bibliometrics, CiteSpace, pathological mechanisms, epidemiology

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