Research study · Pain Medicine · 2026
Cannabis and cannabidiol for postoperative pain management in orthopedic surgery: a scoping review
A 2026 study in Pain Medicine tested cannabidiol in postoperative pain. A total of 14 experimental studies met inclusion criteria (4 CBD-only, 9 THC/CBD combinations, 1 THC-only). This review highlights that current evidence on using cannabis and CBD for postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery is inconclusive due to significant differences in study designs and product.
Study overview
Current clinical evidence regarding the use of cannabinoids for postoperative pain in orthopedic surgery remains inconclusive due to significant trial heterogeneity and lack of product standardization. While THC/CBD combinations demonstrate modest potential for opioid-sparing effects and CBD shows early short-term promise, clinicians should exercise caution, carefully screen for concurrent substance use, and await standardized prospective trials before implementing routine perioperative cannabinoid protocols.
Findings
A total of 14 experimental studies met inclusion criteria (4 CBD-only, 9 THC/CBD combinations, 1 THC-only). CBD-only interventions showed mixed results, with one study demonstrating short-term pain reduction and others showing no significant difference compared to placebo. THC/CBD combinations demonstrated modest potential for opioid-sparing effects and neutral safety profiles, though overall evidence remains inconclusive due to study heterogeneity.
Why this matters
This review highlights that current evidence on using cannabis and CBD for postoperative pain after orthopedic surgery is inconclusive due to significant differences in study designs and product standardization. It suggests caution in routine use until more standardized and comprehensive trials are conducted.
Abstract
Objective: The use of cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) as alternatives to opioids for managing postoperative pain has gained increasing interest, especially in orthopedic surgical contexts, where opioid dependence remains a pressing concern. This scoping review evaluates experimental studies published from 2014 to 2025 that investigated the efficacy and safety of cannabis or CBD products in managing postoperative orthopedic pain. Design: Scoping review. Methods: A total of 14 experimental studies met the inclusion criteria and were categorized by cannabinoid composition (CBD only, tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] only, or CBD/THC combination). Results: Whereas CBD-only interventions showed mixed results, THC/CBD combinations demonstrated modest potential for opioid-sparing effects, with neutral safety profiles. One THC-only study reported increased opioid use and length of stay, though confounding variables were present. Conclusions: Overall, the heterogeneity in study design, cannabinoid formulation, dosing, and patient factors limits significant conclusions. There is a critical need for standardized, prospective clinical trials to better evaluate the potential of cannabinoids in the postoperative period after orthopedic surgery.
Citation
Tran K, Odland K, Polly DW Cannabis and cannabidiol for postoperative pain management in orthopedic surgery: a scoping review. Pain Medicine (2026). PubMed 40828884 · DOI
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Condition: Postoperative pain Topic: CBD Topic: Medical cannabis
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Reviewed by Dr. Caplan on September 19, 2026.
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