Most Hand Surgery Patients Who Try CBD Do Not Find It Helpful

15% of hand surgery patients (135/918) reported prior CBD use. Only 39% of CBD users (53/135) perceived pain relief. CBD users were more likely to be female (65% vs 51%), have wrist pathology (44% vs 35%), and have arthritis (36% vs 19%). CBD users reported significantly higher pain and worse function than non-users.

Survey of 918 new patients at an orthopedic hand and upper extremity clinic (July-December 2022). Pain measured with Numeric Pain Rating Scale, function with Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation. Demographics and diagnoses from chart review.

CBD products are widely marketed for pain, but this real-world clinic data suggests most hand/upper extremity patients who try CBD do not find it beneficial, and those who use it tend to have more severe conditions.

The finding that CBD users had worse pain and function likely reflects that people with more severe conditions are more motivated to try CBD, rather than CBD worsening outcomes. Still, the low rate of perceived benefit challenges marketing claims.

Cross-sectional design cannot determine if CBD caused, worsened, or failed to improve outcomes. CBD product type, dose, and duration of use were not standardized. Self-reported pain relief is subjective. Older patient population (mean 63) at a surgical clinic may not represent broader CBD users.