Platelet-Poor Plasma for the Treatment of Acute Hamstring Muscle Injuries in Collegiate Football Athletes: A Cohort Study

Clin J Sport Med. 2024 Nov 22. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001305. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of platelet-poor plasma injections for the treatment of acute hamstring muscle strains.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Outpatient Sports Medicine Clinic.

Participants: Twenty consecutive patients with an acute hamstring muscle injury from 2021 to 2022 were included.

Interventions: Platelet-poor plasma injection into the hamstring muscle strain.

Main outcome measures: Time (days) until return to full unrestricted participation in sport.

Results: All patients were male collegiate football athletes, with an average age of 20 (±1.6) years old. The most commonly injured muscle was the semitendinosus (65%). After treatment with platelet-poor plasma, patients on average returned to full, unrestricted participation in sport at 29.4 (±7.2) days postinjury, with a statistically significant improvement in pain as early as 2 weeks postinjection. No recurrent injuries to the affected hamstring muscles were seen within 12 months.

Conclusions: PPP may be a safe and effective treatment for acute hamstring muscle strains and may potentially expedite time to return to play.