Top 100 Cited Foot and Ankle-Related Articles.

BACKGROUND: Article citations are a well-accepted method of evaluating the influence or impact of a particular article. Other medical specialties have published the top cited articles in their specialty. To date, an analysis of the foot and ankle podiatric medicine-related article citation method has not been published.

METHODS: Three citation indices were used on October 10, 2014, February 20, 2015, and May 1, 2015, to determine the top 100 cited foot and ankle-related articles.

RESULTS: Most of the top 100 cited foot and ankle podiatric medicine-related articles were published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery by medical doctors in the United States in the past two decades, with most of the article topics being the diabetic foot or trauma. The predominant level of evidence for the articles is evenly distributed among levels III, IV, and V.

CONCLUSIONS: Podiatric medical research and publication has made great strides during the past two decades, particularly in the diabetic foot, but continued research and peer-reviewed journal publication in additional areas regarding the foot and ankle must become a priority in the podiatric medical community.