Cannabis use post-shoulder surgery linked to lower opioid prescription

Introduction

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Orthopedics, researchers have unveiled a significant correlation between cannabis use following shoulder surgery and a reduced reliance on prescription opioids. This finding opens a new chapter in the ongoing exploration of cannabis as a viable alternative for pain management post-surgery.

Study insights: Cannabis and opioid prescription reduction

The University of Connecticut’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery conducted an extensive study involving more than 67,000 patients who underwent shoulder surgery. The research concluded that patients using cannabis immediately post-operation filled fewer opioid prescriptions and were prescribed lower total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) in the first three days following the surgery​.

Methodology and key findings

Utilizing the PearlDiver database, the study compared opioid use in patients with and without reported cannabis use following proximal humerus open reduction and internal fixation. The results highlighted a significant difference in opioid prescription patterns between these two groups, with the cannabis group exhibiting a noticeable reduction in opioid consumption​.

Broader implications of cannabis in pain management

This recent study aligns with a growing body of research indicating cannabis's role in reducing opioid prescriptions. Such studies have shown positive outcomes across various surgical procedures, including neck fusion, wrist, hip, and knee surgeries​​. This trend suggests a broader potential for cannabis in the realm of postoperative pain management.

Comparative studies and conclusions

Further research supports these findings, including studies on chronic back pain patients, where cannabis certification led to a reduction in average daily opioid prescriptions​​. Moreover, medical marijuana laws' implementation has been associated with a decline in opioid prescriptions filled under Medicare Part D by over 2 million daily doses annually​​.

Additional studies, such as those focusing on elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery, have observed similar trends, with cannabis-using patients requiring fewer opioid pain medications post-surgery​​. These studies collectively suggest cannabis's potential as a harm reduction tool in the opioid crisis, indicating its capability to improve patients' quality of life and public health outcomes​​.

The role of cannabis in chronic pain treatment

Cannabis has been increasingly recognized as a first-line analgesic for chronic pain management. This is evidenced by the high percentage of patients in state-level medical cannabis registries listing chronic pain as their qualifying condition. The National Academies of Science and Medicine have also confirmed cannabis's efficacy for chronic pain, lending further credibility to its use as a viable pain management option​​.

In summary

The convergence of these studies presents a compelling argument for considering cannabis as an alternative or supplementary treatment to opioids in post-surgical pain management. As the medical community continues to seek ways to combat the opioid crisis, the role of cannabis in reducing opioid dependency post-surgery becomes increasingly pertinent.