Current Trends and Future Directions in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Orthopedic Disorders

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in diagnosing and managing pediatric orthopedic disorders, emphasizing technologies like AI and minimally invasive techniques to improve outcomes.

Contribution

The paper synthesizes recent developments in pediatric orthopedics from 2018-2025, highlighting emerging trends and unmet challenges.

Findings

Radiation-free diagnostic methods like ultrasound and MRI with AI models show 90-98% accuracy in detecting fractures and assessing bone age.

Minimally invasive techniques such as magnetically controlled growing rods and bioabsorbable fixation improve healing and reduce complications.

Persistent challenges include AI validation, access disparities, and the need for more multicenter trials.

Abstract

Congenital disorders, such as clubfoot, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and developmental problems, such as scoliosis, traumatic fractures, infections, tumors, neuromuscular dysfunction, and sports injuries, are all pediatric orthopedic disorders that impact millions of children around the world and can cause a lifetime of musculoskeletal disability unless they are treated early. These disorders are caused by genetic, biomechanical, and environmental factors that affect developing bones and joints. The review is a synthesis of recent developments during the 2018-2025 period, drawing on major studies from major databases.

Radiation-free methods, such as high-resolution ultrasound in DDH, low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in fractures, fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based models have been shown to improve diagnosis with 90-98% accuracy in fracture detection, scoliosis classification, and bone age assessment. Trends in management focus on minimally invasive, growth-preservation strategies. The Ponseti technique and Pavlik harnesses remain very effective for clubfoot and DDH, and surgeries for scoliosis are minimized with magnetically controlled growing rods. Bioabsorbable fixation, virtual surgical planning (minimizing operating time and fluoroscopy), and biologics like platelet-rich plasma help promote improved healing with fewer complications.

The innovations will reduce morbidity and improve long-term outcomes by providing personalized, evidence-based care. Nevertheless, the issues persist, including the lack of AI validation, access disparities in low-resource environments, and the need for more rigorous multicenter trials. The future outlook is validated AI integration, regenerative stem cell therapies, 3D-printed personalized implants, robotics, and genetic treatment to bring care to all children more equitably and effectively.