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

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.