Information videos posted on Instagram by orthopaedics and sports traumatology surgeons mostly explain surgical technique, and the least mentioned topics are injury prevention and complications

Abstract

Purpose: Social media has become the new information acquisition platform for all content producers. In the current literature, there are no studies examining the content quality and the strengths and weaknesses of videos on Instagram that explain anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, which is the most discussed topic of sports surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality, strengths and weaknesses of information pertaining to ACL surgery that is disseminated on Instagram.

Method: An Instagram search was conducted from 30 May 2023 to 30 January 2024. The search encompassed six languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Turkish) and was performed by six different observers. The investigation focused on eight subheadings derived from current literature on the ACL. These subheadings were addressed in Instagram videos, covering ACL biology or biomechanics, injury mechanism, injury prevention, injury evaluation, surgical technique, injury or surgery complications, injury rehabilitation process and return to sport or work.

Result: The content was assessed of 127 videos from 127 Instagram accounts, spanning six different languages. Across the review of eight subheadings, the average number covered for the entire group was 3 (range, 0-8). Further analysis revealed that surgical technique was the most frequently mentioned subheading for the whole group (68.5%), followed by injury evaluation (54.3%). Prevention (10.2%) and complications (19.6%) were the least mentioned subheadings. The number of followers showed a correlation with video content quality.

Conclusion: Although the video quality scores were found to be moderate, the content often focused on surgery and evaluation subheadings. The prevalence of incomplete information underscores the importance of developing strategies to ensure more comprehensive and accurate dissemination of medical knowledge.

Level of evidence: Level V.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; knee Injury; mobile social media; sources of information.