Emerging Diagnostic Approaches for Musculoskeletal Disorders: Advances in Imaging, Biomarkers, and Clinical Assessment

Musculoskeletal disorders remain a major global cause of disability, with diagnostic complexity arising from their heterogeneous presentation and multifactorial pathophysiology. Recent advances across imaging modalities, molecular biomarkers, artificial intelligence applications, and point-of-care technologies are fundamentally reshaping musculoskeletal diagnostics. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on these innovations, emphasizing how integration of multimodal diagnostic strategies enables earlier detection, more accurate disease stratification, and increasingly personalized treatment planning. Technological developments in imaging—including photon-counting detector computed tomography, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, and four-dimensional computed tomography—have enhanced the ability to visualize structural and dynamic musculoskeletal abnormalities with greater precision. Molecular imaging and biochemical markers such as CTX-II and PINP provide early, objective indicators of tissue degeneration and bone turnover, while genetic and epigenetic profiling elucidates individual susceptibility patterns. Point-of-care ultrasound and portable diagnostic devices have expanded real-time imaging and functional assessment capabilities across diverse clinical settings. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms now automate image interpretation, predict clinical outcomes, and enhance clinical decision support, complementing conventional clinical evaluations. Wearable sensors and mobile health technologies extend continuous monitoring beyond traditional healthcare environments, generating real-world data critical for dynamic disease management. However, standardization of diagnostic protocols, rigorous validation of novel methodologies, and thoughtful integration of multimodal data remain essential to translate technological advances into improved patient outcomes. Addressing challenges in validation, equity, and cost-effectiveness will require coordinated efforts across research, clinical practice, industry, and regulatory bodies. As these fields converge, musculoskeletal diagnostics is poised to evolve into a more precise, personalized, and patient-centered discipline, driving meaningful improvements in musculoskeletal health worldwide.