Critical-sized bone defects present significant challenges in orthopedic medicine, requiring innovative strategies that go beyond conventional treatments. Magnesium (Mg)-based scaffolds have gained attention as a new way to provide structural support and deliver different therapeutic agents. The synergistic action of bioactive Mg ions (Mg²⁺) with incorporated therapeutic agents enables coordinated stimulation of immunomodulation, angiogenesis, antimicrobial activity, and osteogenesis, thereby enhancing bone regeneration. This review critically evaluates the fabrication techniques of Mg-based scaffolds and highlights their influence on scaffold architecture, degradation behavior, and release kinetics. The synergistic release of Mg²⁺ and therapeutic agents, such as osteogenic growth factors, polyphenols, and antimicrobials, from the scaffolds through corrosion-triggered, diffusion- and degradation-controlled, and multi-stimuli-responsive controlled delivery and their coordinated action for bone regeneration are briefly summarized. Even though there have been significant improvements, challenges persist in achieving controlled degradation, predictable release profiles, and long-term mechanical stability. This review emphasizes the necessity of advanced design strategies and standardized evaluations to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of Mg-based composite scaffolds in bone regeneration.

Nonunion represents a crucial challenge in orthopedic medicine, demanding innovative solutions beyond the scope of traditional bone grafting methods. Among the various strategies available, magnesium (Mg) implants have been recognized for their biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, their susceptibility to rapid corrosion and degradation has garnered notable research interest in bone tissue engineering (BTE), particularly in the development of Mg-incorporated biocomposite scaffolds. These scaffolds gradually release Mg²⁺, which enhances immunomodulation, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis, thus facilitating effective bone regeneration. This review presents myriad fabrication techniques used to create Mg-incorporated biocomposite scaffolds, including electrospinning, three-dimensional printing, and sol-gel synthesis. Despite these advancements, the application of Mg-incorporated biocomposite scaffolds faces challenges such as controlling the degradation rate of Mg and ensuring mechanical stability. These limitations highlight the necessity for ongoing research aimed at refining fabrication techniques to better regulate the physicochemical and osteogenic properties of scaffolds. This review provides insights into the potential of Mg-incorporated biocomposite scaffolds for BTE and the challenges that need to be addressed for their successful translation into clinical applications.