Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to More Opioid Prescriptions After Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Patients with cannabis-related disorders received significantly more opioid prescriptions and had more ER visits after carpal tunnel surgery compared to matched controls.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 1,850 propensity-matched patients undergoing open carpal tunnel release, those with cannabis-related disorders (CRD) had higher rates of opioid prescriptions within 2 weeks (30.9% vs 25.6%, p=0.011), lower rates of outpatient follow-up within 6 weeks, and higher ER visits between 6-12 weeks (11.0% vs 8.0%, p=0.027).
Key Numbers
925 CRD patients matched to 925 controls. Opioid prescriptions 0-2 weeks: 30.9% vs 25.6% (p=0.011). ED visits 6-12 weeks: 11.0% vs 8.0% (p=0.027). NCRD patients had higher outpatient follow-up rates within 6 weeks.
How They Did This
Retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Research Network (2010-2022). 925 CRD patients propensity-matched 1:1 with 925 non-CRD patients on 7 characteristics. Outcomes tracked at 0-2, 2-6, and 6-12 weeks postoperatively.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding how cannabis use disorders affect postoperative pain management and healthcare utilization helps surgeons set expectations and plan appropriate follow-up for these patients.
The Bigger Picture
The pattern of higher opioid prescribing, lower outpatient follow-up, and delayed ER presentations in CRD patients suggests these patients may have different pain management trajectories and healthcare engagement patterns that require tailored approaches.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective database study cannot determine causation. CRD diagnosis in medical records may not capture all cannabis users. Cannot distinguish between cannabis use for pain relief versus recreational use. Propensity matching does not eliminate all confounders.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do patients with CRD have higher baseline pain sensitivity, or do prescribers give them more opioids due to perceived need?
- ?Would preoperative cannabis cessation programs reduce postoperative opioid requirements?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 30.9% of patients with cannabis disorders received opioids after carpal tunnel surgery vs 25.6% of matched controls
- Evidence Grade:
- Large propensity-matched cohort from a multi-institutional database, but retrospective design and database limitations constrain causal inference.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication with data from 2010-2022.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis-Related Disorders Are Associated With Increased Early Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions and Delayed Emergency Department Visits Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release.
- Published In:
- Hand (New York, N.Y.), 20(8), 1232-1236 (2025)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06693
Evidence Hierarchy
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06693APA
Humble, Kirstin A; Vatsia, Sohrab K; Monahan, Peter F; Taylor, Kenneth F. (2025). Cannabis-Related Disorders Are Associated With Increased Early Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions and Delayed Emergency Department Visits Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release.. Hand (New York, N.Y.), 20(8), 1232-1236. https://doi.org/10.1177/15589447241284788
MLA
Humble, Kirstin A, et al. "Cannabis-Related Disorders Are Associated With Increased Early Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions and Delayed Emergency Department Visits Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release.." Hand (New York, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/15589447241284788
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis-Related Disorders Are Associated With Increased Ear..." RTHC-06693. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/humble-2025-cannabisrelated-disorders-are-associated
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.