OBJECTIVE: A substantial body of literature pertaining to oxidative stress in osteoarthritis (OA) has been published over the past few decades. However, a comprehensive systematic analysis in this field is currently lacking. The objective of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis to visualize the current research hotspots and evolving trends associated with oxidative stress in OA, in order to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of this field. METHODS: The raw data pertaining to oxidative stress in OA, published between 1998 and 2021, were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC). In order to provide comprehensive results across multiple dimensions, various bibliometric software tools were employed to quantify and analyze the research focuses and trends regarding oxidative stress in OA. RESULTS: A total of 1178 original articles and reviews on oxidative stress in OA were included, with China and the USA emerging as the primary driving forces in this research field. Notably, Wenzhou Medical University stood out as the most prolific institution in terms of publication volume. Blanco FJ was the most prolific author, and the journal with the most publications was . The analysis of keyword burst detection revealed that the investigation of chondrocyte senescence induced by oxidative stress was the most frequent. CONCLUSION: The burgeoning body of literature pertaining to oxidative stress in OA has experienced a consistent growth over the past few decades, and this field will garner widespread attention and in-depth investigation. The frontier of chondrocyte senescence, as revealed by bibliometric analyses, represents a special focus of this field, with potential as a vital therapeutic target for OA.