Muscle
Muscle Injuries & Tears
From acute strains to partial muscle tears, we use advanced orthobiologic therapies under ultrasound guidance to accelerate healing, reduce scar tissue formation, and get you back to full activity.
Understanding muscle injuries
Muscle injuries are among the most common conditions in active individuals and athletes. They range from mild strains — where only a small number of muscle fibers are damaged — to significant partial-thickness or full-thickness tears that can sideline you for weeks or months.
Traditional treatment has relied on rest, ice, compression, and physical therapy. While these remain important, advances in orthobiologic medicine now allow us to actively support and accelerate the body's natural healing process, rather than simply waiting for it to happen on its own.
At Halcyon Health, we use diagnostic ultrasound to visualize the injury, assess its severity, and guide treatment — ensuring precision at every step.
Diagnostic imaging
We use a range of diagnostic imaging modalities to evaluate muscle injuries, including musculoskeletal ultrasound, MRI, and radiographs as appropriate. Diagnostic ultrasound is one of our unique in-office capabilities — it allows us to visualize the injury in real time, assess the extent of tearing, and monitor healing over time. When indicated, we may also order MRI or other advanced imaging for deeper or more complex injuries to guide treatment planning.
Common muscle conditions we treat
- Hamstring strains and partial tears
- Quadriceps strains and tears
- Calf (gastrocnemius/soleus) strains
- Hip flexor strains
- Adductor (groin) strains
- Rotator cuff muscle injuries
- Rectus abdominis strains
- Chronic muscle injuries with scar tissue
Treatment approach
PPP injection (Platelet-Poor Plasma)
Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) is derived from your own blood and processed to concentrate specific growth factors and fibrin that support tissue repair. Unlike PRP, which is rich in platelets, PPP provides a fibrin scaffold that can be especially beneficial for muscle injuries — acting as a biological framework that helps organize healing tissue and reduce disorganized scar formation.
The procedure is performed in-office under ultrasound guidance. Your blood is drawn and processed using a manual centrifugation technique, and the PPP is then precisely injected into the site of injury. This targeted approach ensures the biologic is delivered exactly where it is needed.
PPP injection for muscle injuries is supported by emerging evidence showing improved healing times and reduced re-injury rates compared to conservative management alone, particularly for partial-thickness tears and chronic muscle injuries with excessive scar tissue.
What to expect
Your visit begins with a thorough evaluation including a history, physical exam, and diagnostic imaging. If a PPP injection is appropriate, the procedure can often be performed the same day.
Most patients experience mild soreness at the injection site for 2 to 5 days. We provide a structured rehabilitation protocol and follow up to monitor your recovery with repeat imaging as needed.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the severity of the injury, but many patients notice meaningful improvement within 4 to 6 weeks.
Clinical imaging
Ultrasound images demonstrating treatment and outcomes for muscle injuries.
Muscle injury before and after PPP injection — demonstrating improved tissue organization and healing.
Before
After
Ultrasound-guided hematoma evacuation — before and after aspiration of an intramuscular hematoma.
References
- Hamiltion B, Tol JL, Almusa E, et al. Platelet-rich plasma does not enhance return to play in hamstring injuries: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(14):943-950. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094603
- Reurink G, Goudswaard GJ, Moen MH, et al. Platelet-rich plasma injections in acute muscle injury. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(26):2546-2547. doi:10.1056/NEJMc1402340
- Pas HIMFL, Reurink G, Tol JL, et al. Efficacy of rehabilitation (lengthening) exercises, platelet-rich plasma injections, and other conservative interventions in acute hamstring injuries: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(18):1197-1205. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094879
- Grassi A, Napoli F, Romandini I, et al. Is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) effective in the treatment of acute muscle injuries? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2018;48(4):971-989. doi:10.1007/s40279-018-0860-1
- Rettig AC, Meyer S, Englin AK. Platelet-poor plasma for muscle injuries: current evidence and clinical applications. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2020;13(5):617-625.
- Ultrasound assessment and management of muscle injuries. PubMed. 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34752428 [Imaging reference]
- Muscle injuries: ultrasound imaging in sports medicine. PMC. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6713908 [Imaging reference]