Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that often affects hands, hips, knees, and feet. OA is the most common form of arthritis, and it can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
Osteoarthritis was thought to be a condition of aging until the mid-1800s when doctors discovered that it was actually a disease of the whole joint. Although this was an important step in learning how to diagnose and treat OA, the condition is still not fully understood.1
According to the CDC, osteoarthritis affects more than 32.5 million people in the United States – approximately 1 in 7 adults – and that rate is growing.2 OA can affect anyone but is found most often in women over age 50.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
OA affects the entire joint; it begins with the deterioration of cartilage and then causes damage to the bone, connective tissues, and joint lining.
Some risk factors of osteoarthritis can be modified or avoided to slow or prevent the progression of OA.
- Joint injury: Injuries, including healed injuries, can increase your risk for osteoarthritis.
- Occupational hazards: Some jobs require excessive bending, squatting, or other physical activity that puts repeated stress on joints.
- Extra strain on joints: Excess weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints and can increase the risk of OA.
Other risk factors for OA include:
- Age: Risk for OA increases with age.
- Gender: Women are more at risk for developing OA.
- Genetics: A family history of OA increases your risk.
- Pre-existing conditions: Bone or joint deformities, defective cartilage, and certain metabolic conditions, like diabetes, can put you more at risk for developing OA.
Osteoarthritis Signs & Symptoms
If you have osteoarthritis, you may experience one or more of the following joint-related symptoms:
- Pain
- Tenderness or aching
- Stiffness
- Decreased flexibility or range of motion
- Swelling
- Grating sensation and popping or crackling noise
- Bone spurs
These common symptoms of osteoarthritis usually develop slowly and worsen with time. Damage caused by OA cannot be reversed, but some symptoms can be managed, and a good quality of life can be maintained with a treatment plan. In severe cases, surgery can replace damaged joints and restore mobility.
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Osteoarthritis
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but a 2020 National Public Health Agenda update for osteoarthritis defined nine strategies to help people manage and prevent the condition.
Additionally, medical cannabis has been studied as a potential treatment for some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Most current research focuses on cannabidiol (CBD), with less known about the potential risks or benefits of THC for osteoarthritis.3
- In a 2016 study, researchers treated 320 patients with OA-related knee pain with a topical formulation of synthetic CBD. The treatment did reduce pain, but there was no significant difference when compared to the placebo group.4
- Inflammation, musculoskeletal pain, and neuropathic pain are experienced by 30% of OA patients. Medication commonly prescribed to address these symptoms often loses efficacy over time. In 2017, researchers found that when injected with CBD, rats with OA had a reduction of inflammation and neuropathic pain.5
- A 2021 scientific review highlighted the inconsistent research on marijuana for pain relief in rheumatic diseases like OA. Ultimately, the review concluded that although marijuana shows potential efficacy and safety, more human trials are needed.6
- In a more recent 2022 study, researchers observed a decrease in pain and inflammation in mice with OA when given CBD or CBG oil. CBG also exhibited promise to slow joint-related symptoms of arthritis, but only in animal models at this time.7
The promising results of the animal studies combined with the waning efficacy of certain OA treatments underscores the need for more thorough research into the benefits of cannabis for osteoarthritis in humans. There is a need for experts to investigate additional cannabinoids and application methods and compare the efficacy of synthetic cannabinoids to their natural counterparts.
The Arthritis Foundation issued guidelines on using CBD for arthritis, although they maintain that medical marijuana is not a substitute for proper treatment. It should also be noted that cannabis may interact with certain medications or anesthesia, and THC or CBD for osteoarthritis should only be used in conjunction with a treatment plan.
If your doctor prescribes cannabis for osteoarthritis, products that are CBD-rich or have high ratios of CBD (or CBG) to THC have shown promise in alleviating some symptoms of osteoarthritis. Oral cannabis, including tinctures, capsules, edibles, and teas are easy for precise and methodical dosing. And topical products, like lotions, balms, and patches are ideal for localized application to the affected joints.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers osteoarthritis to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes osteoarthritis or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 21 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Osteoarthritis
Can I use CBD oil for osteoarthritis?
CBD has shown promise in alleviating some symptoms of osteoarthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has released guidelines on using CBD for arthritis. It should only be used in conjunction with a treatment plan for OA.
Is using medical marijuana for osteoarthritis a good idea?
Medical marijuana – specifically CBD – may be an effective addition to an osteoarthritis treatment regimen. However, further study is needed (particularly on the potential effects of THC on OA). If your doctor recommends cannabis for osteoarthritis pain, the Arthritis Foundation recommends against smoking cannabis for arthritis, and consumers should consider topical products, like lotions and balms, and oral cannabis, like CBD oil for OA.
What type of edibles are good for osteoarthritis?
Edibles may be beneficial for people with OA because they can be more precisely dosed than smoked cannabis, their effects are long-lasting, and they are available in varying ratios of cannabinoids. Specifically, consumers may want to look for edibles that are rich in CBD or CBG, with lower amounts of THC.
Sources
1. Dobson, G. P., H. L. Letson, A. Grant, P. McEwen, K. Hazratwala, M. Wilkinson, and J. L. Morris. 2018. “Defining the Osteoarthritis Patient: Back to the Future.” Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 26 (8): 1003–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2018.04.018.
2. CDC. “Osteoarthritis (OA) | Arthritis | CDC.” Www.cdc.gov, 4 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm#:~:text=Osteoarthritis%20(OA)%20is%20the%20most.
3. O’Brien, Melissa, and Jason J McDougall. 2018. “Cannabis and Joints: Scientific Evidence for the Alleviation of Osteoarthritis Pain by Cannabinoids.” Current Opinion in Pharmacology 40 (June): 104–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2018.03.012.
4. Hunter, D., G. Oldfield, N. Tich, J. Messenheimer, and T. Sebree. 2018. “Synthetic Transdermal Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Knee Pain due to Osteoarthritis.” Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 26 (April): S26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2018.02.067.
5. Philpott, Holly T., Melissa OʼBrien, and Jason J. McDougall. 2017. “Attenuation of Early Phase Inflammation by Cannabidiol Prevents Pain and Nerve Damage in Rat Osteoarthritis.” PAIN 158 (12): 2442–51. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001052.
6. Gonen, Tal, and Howard Amital. 2020. “Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases.” Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal 11 (1): e0007. https://doi.org/10.5041/rmmj.10389.
7. Karuppagounder, Vengadeshprabhu, Juliet Chung, Ahmed Abdeen, Amy Thompson, Andreas Bouboukas, William J. Pinamont, Natalie K. Yoshioka, et al. 2022. “Distinctive Therapeutic Effects of Non-Euphorigenic Cannabis Extracts in Osteoarthritis.” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, August. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0244.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
