Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Orthopedic Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Pediatric orthopedic disorders, spanning congenital, developmental, traumatic, infectious, and neoplastic conditions, are a major source of preventable disability worldwide. Despite notable advances over the past decade, progress in diagnostic precision, surgical innovation, and regenerative therapy development often remains compartmentalized within subspecialties, limiting the translation of innovations across the field. This review aims to summarize recent advances in pediatric orthopedic diagnosis and treatment, assess emerging technologies such as AI-assisted imaging and regenerative medicine, and highlight key challenges and evidence gaps to guide future practice. A structured literature search was conducted across major biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) to identify studies focused on pediatric populations, emphasizing multicenter cohorts and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) when available. Key advances include radiation-sparing diagnostic tools such as artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted ultrasonography, low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI); minimally invasive, growth-preserving interventions like guided growth, bioabsorbable fixation, and patient-specific three-dimensional (3D)-printed implants; and biologic augmentation approaches using platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and scaffold-based regeneration. While these innovations enhance diagnostic precision, reduce morbidity, and preserve skeletal potential, most are underpinned by Level II/III evidence and face barriers related to cost, access, and resource availability. By integrating cross-disciplinary progress and identifying transferable strategies, this review offers clinicians, researchers, and policymakers an actionable roadmap to align technological innovation with robust evidence generation and equitable delivery, ensuring sustainable improvements in musculoskeletal health for children globally.