Buccally absorbed is safe and effective for pain management after rotator cuff surgery - Video

Cannabidiol is effective in improving immediate post-operative pain following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, according to research presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine 2022 Annual Meeting.

Cannabidiol could be safe and effective as a pain medicine for patients after rotator cuff surgery suggested researchers in a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded trial conducted on patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. Study enrolled 80 patients from 18 to 75 years of age and one group received 25mg of Cannabidiol (Oravex, Orcosa Pharmaceuticals, USA) TID if patients weighed less than 176 pounds (80kg) and 50mg of Cannabidiol if they weighed more than 176 pounds (80kg) for 14 days, and the control group was given a placebo.

Currently, cannabidiol is FDA approved for the treatment of some seizures and other studies have suggested the therapy may help treat anxiety, cognition, and movement disorders though research has yet to prove it can be used to treat these disorders.

Patients were followed-up on days one, two, seven, and 14, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, opioid consumption, and satisfaction with pain control were recorded. The (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain." Additionally, liver function tests (LFT) were done on days seven and 14 to assess safety, and nausea was monitored.

Based on our findings, CBD is safe and effective in reducing pain in the immediate perioperative period following rotator cuff repair and should be considered in postoperative multimodal pain control, concluded the researchers.

Reference: "Buccally absorbed cannabidiol is safe and effective for pain management after rotator cuff surgery";AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY FOR SPORTS MEDICINE, MEETING- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.