Medical Cannabis Mechanisms in Orthopedic Pain Alleviation and Healing
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Emily Levitis
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Biotechnology/Molecular Biology
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Rana Zeine
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Cannabinoid treatment for orthopedic injury and aftercare has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The purpose of this project is to systematically review the benefits of medical cannabis in the management of orthopedic and musculoskeletal disorders. Specifically, to analyze the efficacy of cannabinoids for relieving pain, decreasing opioid use, and accelerating healing and post-operative rehabilitation.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by a literature search through PubMed, EBSCO Host and ProQuest online databases at Kean University Nancy Thompson Library. Key words “cannabis”, “medicinal marijuana”, with the use of the Boolean operator “AND” “orthopedic rehabilitation”, “orthopedic surgery”, “pain management”, “sports medicine”, “musculoskeletal pain”, “chronic pain”, “osteoarthritis”, and “arthritis” were used to identify studies conducted in the past 5 years that discussed the efficacy of medical cannabis in orthopedic patients. Data extraction was performed by 2 reviewers.
RESULTS: 5 studies conducted in the past 5 years were identified. The use of cannabis increased between 2012 and 2017 (P=0.049). The use of opioids decreased between 2012 and 2017 (P=0.040). There is statistically significant evidence that shows that CBD and THC are effective in treating musculoskeletal injuries. It is also found that medical cannabis is a better treatment option against other forms of medication and non-surgical intervention such as braces.
CONCLUSION: Evidence supports beneficial roles for CBD, alone or in combination with THC, in pain management of post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation and musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, several studies demonstrated statistically significant reduction in dosage and time period of opioid need for those patients, with medical cannabis being more cost-effective than opioids.