PLATELET-RICH PLASMA INJECTIONS AND COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC TRAINER’S PREVENTION, EVALUATION, TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION FOR HAMSTRING INJURIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation methods being used by collegiate athletic trainers for hamstring strain injuries (HSI) to reduce the risk of reinjury and to determine whether platelet-rich-plasma injections are being used as a method of treatment. National Athletic Training Association (NATA) members working in the collegiate setting were asked to complete a survey through Qualtrics for this study. Results from this study showed a significant difference in PRP injection usage when Division 1 was compared to all other divisions, athletic trainers were likely to evaluate lumbopelvic rotation, bilateral hip flexor flexibility, gluteus maximus strength, and gluteus minimus strength when assessing a HSI, and they reported using eccentric exercises, conventional resistance exercises, stretching, myofascial release, and core training most of the time or always when rehabilitating a HSI. These results suggest that PRP injections are not being used as often as they should in collegiate athletics and athletic trainers are doing comprehensive evaluations and rehabilitations for HSIs.