Platelet-rich Plasma as an Effective Treatment for Proximal Hamstring Injuries
ABSTRACT
Proximal hamstring injuries can be disabling, and several traditional conservative treatments, including physiotherapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have been inconsistent. Corticosteroid injections have demonstrated success but can adversely affect local tissues. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a safe, effective treatment for several orthopedic pathologies. The authors propose a PRP injection at the muscle origin as a novel treatment for proximal hamstring injuries.
A retrospective review yielded 15 patients with 17 proximal hamstring injuries. Twelve injuries failed traditional conservative treatment and were ultimately treated with a PRP injection at the hamstrings muscle origin. Five patients were treated with traditional conservative treatment alone. Analysis included pre- and posttreatment visual analog scale scores, Nirschl Phase Rating Scale scores, and return to sport. No significant difference existed between the groups’ pretreatment visual analog scale scores (P5.28) and Nirschl Phase Rating Scale scores (P5.15) and their posttreatment visual analog scale scores (P5.38) and Nirschl Phase Rating Scale scores (P5.22). The PRP group demonstrated a reduction in visual analog scale scores (P,.01) and Nirschl Phase Rating Scale scores (P,.01), but the traditional conservative treatment group did not demonstrate the same reduction (P5.06 and .06, respectively). All athletes returned to their desired activity level with no major complications.