Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · IF 2.8 · July 30, 2026 · LoE II
Clinical translation of artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal care: a systematic review of current applications, evidence gaps, and implementation readiness
Zainab Ghazanfar, Areej Fatima, Saba Ghazanfar Ali, Younhyun Jung — Gachon University
This systematic review searched for studies validating AI tools for musculoskeletal imaging between 2022 and 2025, screening 1,245 records down to 123 full-text papers. Using strict criteria for quantitative clinical validation, only three studies qualified, and all three were limited to MRI-based segmentation and biomarker extraction, with no studies validating AI on other imaging modalities or in multi-center, real-world settings.
AI summary · from the full text · reviewed by Pukhraj Gaheer, Medical Student, Queen's University before publishing
Why it mattersOrthopedic surgeons increasingly encounter AI-assisted imaging tools, and this review shows the evidence supporting their clinical use remains extremely thin despite hype.
Conclusion strengthInconclusive
No concurrent comparison group, so no between-group effect can be judged against the MCID.
Presenting this at rounds? Start here
- ?If only a handful of MRI-based AI segmentation tools have any rigorous validation, how should orthopedic surgeons weigh AI-generated imaging reports when they appear in a patient's chart today?
- ?What patient-centered outcomes (pain, function, reoperation) should be required before an AI diagnostic tool is trusted for surgical decision-making in MSK care?