Synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SM-MSCs), a type of tissue-specific stem cells, are involved in forming synovial joints in embryos and the maintenance and repair of joint tissue in adults. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) produced from synovial fluid (SF-MSCs) may have therapeutic properties with a higher capacity for cartilage proliferation than other MSC types.The research domains of SM-MSCs and SF-MSCs, however, have not been subjected to bibliometric analysis.This study aimed to visualize and analyze their research areas and trends using a bibliometric approach. Most studies on SM-MSCs and SF-MSCs are focused on basic research, but as SM-MSCs play important roles in chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, myogenesis, and tendon formation, they may have therapeutic potential for cartilage and tissue repair linked to diseases. The current study is the first to thoroughly introduce the development patterns and hotspots in this field of study.