Global Research Trends in Robot-Assisted and 3D Printing Technologies for Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Analysis Based on Bibliometrics and Knowledge Graphs

This study systematically reviews the research trends in robot-assisted and 3D printing technologies for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from 2000 to 2025, employing bibliometric and knowledge graph analysis methodologies. By retrieving relevant Chinese and English literature from CNKI and Google Scholar databases, 180 high-quality research papers were selected and included. Information such as publication trends, research entities, thematic hotspots, technology types, and frontier dynamics were extracted and analyzed. Results indicate that research in the TKA field has grown rapidly since 2016, with robot-assisted technology dominating, while 3D printing applications have gradually expanded to preoperative planning, guide plate fabrication, and personalized prostheses. Clustering and keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed research hotspots centered on core issues such as “osteotomy precision,” “postoperative alignment restoration,” and “prosthesis positioning.” Research frontiers are evolving toward intelligent robotic systems, personalized 3D printing, and biocompatible materials. Combining domestic and international case studies, this paper compares the clinical performance of multiple domestic and imported surgical robotic systems, noting the increasing maturity of domestic systems in terms of accuracy, stability, and learning curves. Finally, the study addresses current limitations and future directions, emphasizing the critical value of multimodal fusion and intelligent decision-making systems in precision medicine for TKA.