CBD for Knee Pain

Whether due to injury, overuse, inflammation, or age-related wear and tear: knee pain can severely impact our daily lives. A promising alternative to traditional pain medications is CBD (Cannabidiol).

Numerous studies indicate an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect of CBD against knee pain. The natural active ingredient is also a gentle therapy option with no addictive potential.

Here you will learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee pain, and how CBD can help you with joint pain.

The miraculous knee - The largest joint in the human body is a complex system of bones, cartilage, ligaments, menisci, tendons, and muscles.

In a healthy state, it is flexibly bendable and extendable, as well as minimally rotatable, allowing us countless movements from climbing stairs and running to cycling. Therefore, it's no wonder that nothing can reduce our well-being as quickly as knee pain.

Not least because of its special construction, the knee joint is susceptible to injuries and wear and tear of all kinds. Malalignments, damage from intensive sports (ligament, meniscus injuries), relevant strains, as well as inflammatory diseases and age-related changes (cartilage changes, joint degeneration) are the main causes of knee pain.

Due to its complexity, diagnosing the cause of knee problems is often a challenge. In addition to a physical examination, imaging techniques (stress X-rays, MRI) are usually necessary for accurate clarification to avoid premature, unnecessary operations.

Knee pain can have various causes depending on its location:

• Anterior knee pain (anterior knee joint, anterior upper or lower leg) often radiates from the kneecap (patella). Reasons for this can be dislocations, subluxations, patellar malformations, bursitis, patellar tendinopathy (overuse of the patellar tendon), or retropatellar arthrosis (permanent joint wear behind the kneecap).
  
  
• Medial knee pain often occurs with medial collateral ligament or medial meniscus injuries, arthrosis, inflamed bursae, and tendon damage (e.g., to the hamstrings).
  
  
• Lateral knee pain can indicate lateral collateral ligament or lateral meniscus injuries, knee misalignments, arthrosis of the lateral knee joint space, irritated and worn tendons (especially in endurance athletes), and the so-called "runner's knee."
  
  
• Popliteal pain often originates from the joint capsule and can be due to knee osteoarthritis, damage to the posterior cruciate ligament, or a Baker's cyst.

Knee pain has various manifestations. Acute knee pain occurs suddenly, lasts only a few hours to a few days, and usually subsides spontaneously. If the pain persists for at least six weeks, it is referred to as chronic knee pain. At this point, at the latest, an orthopedic assessment should be sought to prevent secondary or permanent damage.

The most common symptoms of knee pain include:

• Pain with movement or weight-bearing
  
  
• Resting pain
  
  
• Feeling of stiffness (with start-up pain)
  
  
• Restricted mobility / decreasing stability
  
  
• Grinding / rubbing noises (when straightening the knee or squatting)
  
  
• Swelling
  
  
• Bruising
  
  
• Redness of the surrounding skin
  
  
• Overheating or fever

If these symptoms apply to you, you should consult an orthopedic practice. Especially if you are older than 25, an active athlete, or exposed to physical stress at work.

Depending on the cause of your knee pain, various treatment options are available. Acute pain is usually treated with local or systemic painkillers. These measures also contribute to pain relief:

• Rest, immobilization
  
  
• Cold/heat applications
  
  
• Strengthening exercises
  
  
• Physiotherapy
  
  
• Ultrasound, electrostimulation therapy
  
  
• Bandages, insoles, gel supports
  
  
• Treatment of the underlying disease (arthrosis, rheumatism)

Numerous scientific studies indicate a positive effect of CBD on joint pain.

A meta-analysis from 2017 suggested that cannabis could be a potential treatment option for joint pain.⁴

In a cell culture study (2020), CBD showed an anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effect on synovial fibroblasts.⁵

A review (2021) of preclinical data indicated a potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of CBD.⁶

Topical cannabidiol treatment in a clinical study (2022) resulted in significant symptom improvements (pain, limited mobility) in patients with thumb basal joint arthritis.⁷

In another study (2022), CBD intake (25–75 mg/day) led to a reduction in arthritis symptoms and necessary medication.⁸

A systematic literature review (2023) showed that CBD supplementation can be a promising therapeutic adjunct for pain reduction and improved quality of life in rheumatism patients.⁹

Various dosage forms are available for the application of CBD for joint pain.

CBD oils and balms are particularly popular for external use. Since the bioavailability of topically applied oils is rather low and side effects are rare, higher-dose products such as full-spectrum CBD oil 25% or full-spectrum CBD oil 30% can also be chosen.

Application: CBD oils and balms can be applied to the desired area once or twice daily. Please avoid open wounds!

Want more? If the effect of CBD is to go beyond local symptom relief, an oral preparation can be beneficial. Orally ingested CBD oil quickly enters the bloodstream and takes effect throughout the body – including the knee. If you are new to CBD, a product with a lower CBD dose is advisable at first, such as the full-spectrum CBD oil 10%. Later, and if well tolerated, you can then switch to higher-dosed preparations.

Application: Place a few drops of the CBD oil of your choice under the tongue one to three times a day and hold it there for about 60 seconds. This ensures optimal absorption. The dosage can be gradually increased or adjusted.

In addition to using CBD for knee pain, the following measures can also be helpful:

• Weight reduction: Excessive body weight can permanently damage the sensitive knee joint. Nutritional counseling can help you lose excess pounds.
  
  
• Regular exercise: Regular physical activity keeps you fit and strengthens tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This stabilizes the joints and relieves the cartilage.
  
  
• Psychological support: Especially with persistent pain, tips for mental pain management are often helpful.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, and pain-relieving properties, CBD can alleviate joint pain. CBD products can be used topically, orally, or in combination and are a gentle, non-psychoactive treatment option. Although the use of CBD for knee pain cannot replace a medically prescribed (pain) therapy, it can certainly be a supportive measure for greater well-being.

Medical Disclaimer