Pediatric Sports Imaging: Challenges of the Immature Musculoskeletal System

Injury patterns in children differ from those in adults because of the physiology of the immature skeleton. A tailored imaging approach and in-depth knowledge of the physiology and pathology of the immature musculoskeletal system are essential for diagnosis, guiding the clinician to the right treatment plan and preventing long-term complications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pediatric sports injuries, structured by tissue type and anatomical region. We pay special attention to the physiology of the immature musculoskeletal system, epidemiology of pediatric sport injuries, advanced imaging techniques, differentiation between normal developmental variants and pathology, and recognition of conditions that may mimic sports injuries. By integrating anatomical insight with clinical relevance, this review offers a modern multidisciplinary guide to the challenges of pediatric sports imaging.