Public Interest in Common Orthopedic Conditions Over Time: Insights from Google Trends

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate temporal trends in public interest in common orthopedic conditions using online search data and to analyze changes over time, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and seasonal variations.Materials and Methods: Public interest in orthopedic conditions was assessed using Google Trends. The search terms “hip fracture,” “knee replacement,” “meniscal tear,” “rotator cuff tear,” and “carpal tunnel syndrome” were analyzed. Data were collected worldwide between January 2015 and January 2026. Relative search volume (RSV) values were obtained and analyzed descriptively. Temporal trends, pandemic-related changes, and seasonal patterns were evaluated.Results: “Knee replacement” demonstrated the highest level of public interest and showed a clear increasing trend over time. “Carpal tunnel syndrome” maintained consistently high search interest with a mild upward trend. “Hip fracture” and “rotator cuff tear” exhibited relatively stable patterns with slight increases, whereas “meniscal tear” showed consistently low search volume throughout the study period. A marked decline in search interest was observed across all conditions during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (March–April 2020), most prominently for “knee replacement.” Seasonal analysis showed small descriptive differences in RSV values across conditions; however, Wilcoxon signed-rank testing did not demonstrate statistically significant winter–summer differences for any search term.Conclusion: Public interest in orthopedic conditions has evolved over time, with increasing attention toward degenerative and surgical conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic had a marked temporary impact on search behavior. Although small descriptive seasonal differences were observed, these differences were not statistically significant and should be interpreted cautiously. Online search data may provide valuable insights into public awareness and healthcare trends.