Google Searches About Rotator Cuff Repair Have Increased Over the Past 15 Years With Pain and Postoperative Recovery Being the Most Frequently Searched Topics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2-2026
Publication Title
Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation
Abstract
PURPOSE: To use Google Trends to assess whether interest in rotator cuff repair (RCR) has increased over the last 15 years and to identify the most frequently searched topics related to RCR. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted on public interest in RCR using Google Trends. While using a focus group comprised of 2 sports-medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, 1 orthopaedic surgery resident, 3 medical students, and supplementing with ChatGPT, the 50 most commonly searched topics perioperatively regarding RCR were identified. The mean relative search volume (RSV) was obtained and compared for all 50 topics. Regarding RSV, which extends from 0 to 100, 0 represents no public interest, whereas 100 represents maximal public interest. Inclusion criteria for search topics included Google search terms concerning RCR which had a mean RSV available between January 2010 and December 2024. Analysis of variance tests were used to compare means. Statistical significance was set at a P value less than .05. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and December 2024, the mean RSV for "rotator cuff surgery" significantly increased (2010: 51; 2024: 90; P < .001), representing growing patient interest in rotator cuff surgery. Among the 50 perioperative topics, "recovery" and "pain" had significantly higher mean RSVs than other topics, whereas "sling," "therapy," "cost," "how long does rotator cuff surgery take," "arthroscopic surgery," "sleep," "rehab," and "healing" were also among the top ten topics with the highest mean RSV (79; 51; 20; 18; 14; 13; 9; 8; 7; 4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Google searches for RCR have increased significantly during the past 15 years. Pain and recovery after RCR were the most frequently searched topics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study investigates the public interest in RCR as indicated by Google search data. The level of interest has increased during the past 15 years, and the topics identified in this study should be included in patient education materials.
First Page
e70045
PubMed ID
42500140
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Khan, Irfan A.; Faheem, Fahad; Ahmad, Tarick; Squali-Houssaini, Badr; Phillips, Paul; and Cole, Brian J., "Google Searches About Rotator Cuff Repair Have Increased Over the Past 15 Years With Pain and Postoperative Recovery Being the Most Frequently Searched Topics" (2026). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 4912.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/4912
10.1002/ars2.70045