One-Year Shoulder Outcomes Did Not Demonstrate Long-Term CBD Pain Treatment

A one-year follow-up found no significant differences in pain or shoulder-reported outcomes after a short perioperative CBD course. The study did not test continuous CBD treatment for a year or prove improved tendon healing.

The exposure lasted two weeks

Participants had originally entered a randomized, blinded trial after arthroscopic rotator-cuff repair. CBD or matching placebo was given three times daily for 14 days, with the CBD amount selected by body weight.

The follow-up obtained data from 83 of the 99 people who completed the original trial. This represents retained participants from the earlier experiment, not an independent second randomized cohort.

Later outcomes did not separate

At approximately one year, pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and satisfaction did not significantly differ between the former CBD and placebo groups. The proportion reaching the specified patient-acceptable symptom state also did not differ significantly.

These findings address whether the earlier short treatment course was associated with later patient-reported deficits or benefits. They do not demonstrate that CBD was still acting at the follow-up visit.

Preserve the endpoint and follow-up limitations

Participants were no longer blinded to their original allocation at long-term follow-up, and 16 original completers were unavailable. Missing outcomes could influence the comparison. A nonsignificant difference also does not establish exact equivalence.

Patient-reported shoulder function is not the same as imaging-confirmed structural tendon healing. Nor can favorable recovery in both groups be attributed solely to CBD when surgery, rehabilitation and natural recovery occurred. The report supports a limited long-term outcome comparison after brief exposure, rather than a claim of proven chronic analgesia or tissue repair.

Related: Why treatment outcomes require attention to study design.

Primary research

Cannabidiol for Postoperative Pain Control After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Demonstrates No Deficits in Patient-Reported Outcomes Versus Placebo: 1-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (2024).