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

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.