Review of data sources used in real-world traumatology and orthopedic

Real-world data (RWD) play an increasingly important role in traumatology and orthopedics, as evidenced by the rapidly growing number of publications using registry, administrative, and other databases. Each type of RWD source has its own strengths and weaknesses, as does each database. Before using a particular RWD source, a researcher should understand its advantages and limitations. Careful attention to data quality and the use of appropriate analytical methods may help alleviate concerns regarding the validity of orthopedic studies using RWD. This article describes the main types of RWD used in traumatology and orthopedics and provides a brief description of RWD.