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Cannabis and cannabidiol for postoperative pain management in orthopedic surgery: a scoping review
Kevin Tran1, Kari Odland2, David W Polly2
1University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
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.
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