(L-464) Long Duration Ultrasound Combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Return to Sport after Injury

Introduction:: Musculoskeletal injuries account for 52.1% of collegiate injuries that require more than 7 days of rest. The use of long-duration ultrasound (LDU) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments to facilitate injury healing and pain relief are typically utilized independently in sports medicine. Our study aimed to investigate the combined regenerative effect of daily LDU with high-concentration single-injection PRP for treating collegiate sport-related musculoskeletal injuries.

Materials and Methods:: In total, thirty-five competitive athletes with grade II sprains and strains (n=26) and tendinopathies (n=9) injured during sport and unable to continue to play were sequentially administered PRP (n=20, 20.4yoa, 18 male, 2 female) or PRP + LDU (n=15, 20.27yoa, 14 male, 1 female). In the PRP treatment group, each subject was treated with a single injection of PRP consisting of 1.28 billion platelets/ml under ultrasound-image guidance to the injury site. The PRP + LDU treatment group received the same PRP injection procedure with a 14-day, 4hr per day, 18,720J ultrasound treatment applied over the injection site. The numeric rating pain scale (NRS, 0-10), range of motion (ROM, 0-100%), clinical strength numeric score (CS, 0-5), and time of injury to return to sport (days) were measured at baseline and return to play (RTP). The global health improvement score (GROC -7 to +7) was measured upon RTP.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: All patients completed rehabilitation and returned to the sport after debilitating injuries. PRP + LDU returned athletes to play 21.33 days quicker (p < 0.0001), decreased injury pain by 0.88-points NRS points (p=0.0086), and improved patient global health by 1.28-points GROC (p < 0.0001) over PRP treatment alone (95% Confidence Interval 11.26 to 31.40 days faster).There were no significant differences in strength (p=0.498) or range of motion (p=0.8581) improvement between PRP and PRP + LDU at the RTP or baseline patient demographic variables. Adding LDU at-home treatment to PRP injection therapy significantly reduces the time to return to sport, increases pain reduction, and improves overall health for patients recovering from sport-related injury. The daily LDU treatment facilitates and enhances regenerative medicine therapies such as PRP.

Acknowledgements (Optional): : This research was partially supported by the University of Cincinnati UC NEXT program for
research and education.

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