title: 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 (P=.28) and Nirschl Phase Rating Scale scores (P=.15) and their posttreatment visual analog scale scores (P=.38) and Nirschl Phase Rating Scale scores (P=.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 (P=.06 and .06, respectively). All athletes returned to their desired activity level with no major complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N Saint Clair, Ste 1350, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. robertjwetzel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: Ronak M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Terry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D013848:Thigh / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult