Evaluating Avascular Necrosis-Related Content Across Social Media Platforms

TL;DR

This study examines avascular necrosis-related content on social media, finding it widely available but raising concerns about reliability.

Contribution

The study is the first to characterize avascular necrosis-related content and engagement across major social media platforms.

Findings

Avascular necrosis had higher engagement than osteonecrosis across all platforms.

TikTok's top AVN video received 5.6 million views and 163,200 likes.

Only one Facebook group had a physician moderator, highlighting potential reliability issues.

Abstract

Background

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the bone can progress to subchondral collapse, often requiring surgical intervention. Given the debilitating nature of this condition, patients may seek information and support through social media. AVN-related content on social media platforms remains uncharacterized in the literature. This study aimed to analyze the type and reach of AVN-related content across social media platforms.

Methods

The search terms “avascular necrosis” and “osteonecrosis” were used to identify social media content on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok between October 31, 2024, and November 4, 2024. Posts with the highest engagement were reviewed, and descriptive statistics were recorded.

Results

Across all four platforms, engagement metrics for “avascular necrosis” were consistently higher than for “osteonecrosis.” The following findings were noted for the search term “avascular necrosis.” On Facebook, five groups with a combined membership of 30,805 shared 492 posts monthly. Three groups provided patient support, while the remaining two focused on a patient story and treatment advice; only one group had a physician moderator. Instagram’s top five hashtags had over 24,000 posts. On YouTube, the five most-viewed videos - with 1.78 million combined views - addressed topics such as patient experiences, surgical techniques, and education. TikTok had 135 videos for “avascular necrosis,” with the most popular video receiving 5.6 million views and 163,200 likes. The top five TikTok hashtags had a total of 2,218 posts.

Conclusion

AVN-related content is widely available on social media platforms, offering patients access to support networks and informational resources. However, concerns regarding the reliability and accuracy of educational content persist. Physicians treating AVN patients should familiarize themselves with this digital landscape to address patient misconceptions and share credible sources. Future educational initiatives could involve creating physician-led social media content to enhance the accessibility and quality of AVN-related resources.