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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection in Sports Injuries

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Indian Journal of Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Sports injuries are very common, and the management demands high degrees of skills and best techniques for an early return to play. The use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections in the treatment of tendon, muscle and ligament injuries has become popular. This study observes the outcomes of PRP injections in sports injuries.

Methods

Forty-eight athletes (mean age 29.93 ± 8.48, Male: 37, Female: 11) presenting to a sports medicine centre with different sports injuries with symptom duration (2.81 ± 1.94) months were given PRP injections (single or multiple) four weeks apart with maximum number of injections up to three depending upon the clinical condition, Pre and Post VAS scores. Specific rehabilitation program was administered and compliance was graded by Sports Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (SIRAS). A 1 year follow-up of cases was done for assessing player satisfaction and return to play.

Results

Pre-procedure (7.25 ± 0.70) and post-procedure (2.42 ± 0.74) VAS score for all athletes showed significant difference with a p value at 0.0001. The average number of injections was 1.35 ± 1.41 with 72.91% requiring only one injection while 18.75% and 8.33% required two and three injections, respectively.

Conclusion

Athletes who required a single injection for acute injuries of lower grade returned to sports activity earlier than those who required multiple injections for chronic injuries. PRP injection has optimal effects on sports injuries not responding to conservative management

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sports Science, Department of Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, No.1, Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai, 600116, Tamilnadu, India

    Sivaraman Arumugam, Ayyadurai Prakash, Gopalakrishnan Janani, Moorthy Vignesh, Masilamani Mukilvannan Anjanavannan, Suresh Perumal & Thiagarajan Alwar

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  1. Sivaraman Arumugam
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  2. Ayyadurai Prakash
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  3. Gopalakrishnan Janani
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  4. Moorthy Vignesh
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Correspondence to Ayyadurai Prakash.

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Arumugam, S., Prakash, A., Janani, G. et al. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection in Sports Injuries. JOIO 55, 484–491 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-020-00349-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-020-00349-3

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