Platelet poor plasma injection for hamstring strain The hamstring muscles include the long and short head of the biceps femoris, semitendinosis, and semimembranosus.
Platelet poor plasma injection for hamstring strain The hamstring muscles include the long and short head of the biceps femoris, semitendinosis, and semimembranosus. The tendons will originate from the ischial tuberosity. They are organized based on location, with the semimembranosus originating from the anterolateral portion.
From the posteromedial portion, there is both the semitendinosis and biceps femoris. Acute hamstring injuries occur frequently with rates of 6.5 injuries per 1000 hours of play. The most injured hamstring muscle is the biceps femoris.
Due to the high prevalence of hamstring injuries, many treatment modalities have been studied. Unfortunately, despite many treatment options, there is no clear consensus. A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine looked at the role of using Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) for the treatment of acute hamstring muscle injury.
They hypothesized that platelet poor plasma contained the growth factors insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) that have been found to promote myoblast differentiation. Myoblast differentiation leads to the formation of muscle cells, while myoblast proliferation, which can be seen in PRP injections, leads to more myoblasts but not differentiates myoblasts. The study hypothesized that PPP was preferred to platelet rich plasma (PRP) because PRP contains transforming growth factor beta 1 and myostatin, which can inhibit healing in muscle.
The study used Arthrex’s Angel Machine and 54-mL of whole blood. After centrifugation, the PPP was injected under ultrasound guidance into the affected muscle tissue. In total, 20 patients were studied and the most commonly affected muscle was the semitendinosis.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to platelet poor plasma injection for hamstring strains, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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