logologo

Popular Boards

1 Mentions
Mohammed H Al-Rumaih, Abdulrahman F Al-Otaibi, Tareq Almukhlafi | Cureus | (2026)
Primary Link Pubmed DOI Openalex Full text (OA)

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.

Tags

Sample Definition And Size

This is a narrative review synthesizing recent developments (2018–2025) in pediatric orthopedic disorders; it does not involve a primary sample or number of subjects, but reviews multiple major studies from major databases.

Study Type

Narrative review (non-systematic literature review).

Conflicts Of Interest

No conflicts of interest are declared in the accessible metadata.

Results Summary

Key findings include: radiation-free diagnostic methods—high-resolution ultrasound for DDH, low-dose cone-beam CT for fractures, fast MRI protocols, and AI-based models achieving 90–98% accuracy in fracture detection, scoliosis classification, and bone age assessment; management trends favor minimally invasive, growth-preservation strategies such as the Ponseti technique and Pavlik harness for clubfoot and DDH, magnetically controlled growing rods for scoliosis, bioabsorbable fixation, virtual surgical planning reducing operating time and fluoroscopy, and biologics like platelet-rich plasma improving healing; challenges include lack of AI validation, access disparities in low-resource settings, and need for rigorous multicenter trials; future directions include validated AI integration, regenerative stem cell therapies, 3D-printed personalized implants, robotics, and genetic treatments.

Referenced In

Mercedes C.
a month ago
AI Papers and Discussion

🍼 Why reading baby hip ultrasounds is harder than you think—and how AI is stepping in to help.

Ever had an ultrasound? Now imagine trying to get a perfect picture of a squirming infant's hip joint while they're crying and moving. That's the reality of screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition affecting 1–3% of babies that can cause lifelong disability if missed.

The problem? 🎯 Too few experts, too many babies, and results that vary wildly depending on who's holding the probe.

A new systematic review & meta-analysis by Azmi et al., 2026, just published in Pediatric Radiology, brings together the strongest evidence yet on AI-assisted infant hip ultrasound—and the results are promising:

🔍 Key Findings from Azmi et al. (2026):

  • High diagnostic accuracy: Pooled sensitivity 92% (95% CI 86–95%) and specificity 96% (95% CI 91–98%) across 9 studies with 6,351 hips

    • Compiled 29 studies but analysed only 9 who provided 2×2 data using bivariate random-effects model.

  • Fast to learn: Operators need only ~1–2 hours of training to use AI-assisted systems

  • Quicker scans: Acquisition times drop by 20–50%

🤩 Compared to other reviews like Bhavsar et al., 2025 & Kamath et al., 2026, this meta-analysis analysed raw imaging data rather than final statistical predictions, making this a promising census for DDH. The authors then close the discussion by calling for multi-centre trials - testing that spans across different hospitals and environments.

What's your take? Is AI ready to assist or even replace the expert eye?

Fun Fact🤓: The "Graf method" requires precise positioning and angle measurements that take years to master. Miss the angle by a few degrees, and you miss the diagnosis or even send healthy babies for unnecessary treatments.

  • A 2022 paper by Oelen et al., 2022 claims that AI precision outperforms trained physicians, with an error of 3.9° vs. physician error of 7.1° for alpha angles

If you'd like a comprehensive read on the current trends in paediatric orthopaedic disorders, check out this review on recent developments: Current Trends and Future Directions in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Orthopedic Disorders

Image credit: kidshealth.org

Read Full Post
1