CBD for knee pain

The knee is one of the most demanding and versatile joints in your body. It supports your weight on a daily basis, absorbs shock and allows you to perform essential movements such as walking, turning, bending and climbing stairs. That’s why, when pain appears in this area, every activity can become a challenge, from the simplest to the most demanding tasks. In recent years, the use of CBD has gained popularity among those seeking relief from this type of discomfort. Throughout this article, we’ll walk you through the most common causes of knee pain, how CBD might work when applied, what the latest studies say, and what precautions to consider before incorporating it into your care routine.

Most common causes of knee pain

Your knee is a complex structure made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles. All of these components work together to help you move with stability and safety. When any one of them is injured or worn out, pain occurs. Sometimes these pains go away quickly, but in other cases they linger due to more complex conditions. Among the most common causes is osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis, a progressive wear and tear of the cartilage that causes stiffness and pain. Also common are ligament injuries, either due to poor movement or impact sports activities; meniscus tears, which affect the internal cushioning of the knee; tendinitis due to repetitive movements; and even bone fractures after falls or blows.

Factors such as being overweight, high-impact sports or physically demanding jobs can increase the risk of developing these problems. When the pain appears, it may be accompanied by swelling, local heat or difficulty moving the leg. The most important thing is always to see a specialist when experiencing pain like this, but many people explore with their doctors alternatives that can provide localized relief. Topical CBD products have become an option of interest, as they allow the active ingredient to be applied directly where it is needed.

How CBD can act against knee pain

In your body there is an internal communication system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps maintain balance in various functions, such as pain control, inflammation regulation and immune system response. The ECS is made up of receptors that are distributed in different tissues, including those present in the skin and joints.

When you apply a CBD product to your knee, the compound can interact with these receptors in a localized manner. This interaction could influence how you perceive pain or how the inflammatory response develops in that area. In this way, the topical approach seeks to act directly on the affected area, reducing the need for the compound to circulate throughout the body.

Potential mechanisms of topical CBD

According to Alpy et al. (2023), CBD could help reduce the production of certain pro-inflammatory molecules, which would help reduce the stiffness and swelling that often accompany knee pain. On the other hand, Rojas-Valverde & Fallas-Campos (2023) point out that this compound could also act on receptors linked to pain perception and muscle relaxation, helping to improve comfort when moving the joint.

One of the most outstanding advantages of topical use is that it concentrates the action at the site of application, minimizing absorption in the rest of the body and, therefore, reducing the probability of interactions with other treatments. This makes it an interesting option for those seeking to complement other care such as physiotherapy, gentle exercise or heat and cold therapies.

Studies on the effect of CBD on the knee

Although research on CBD and the knee is still ongoing, there are already studies that provide relevant information. Here we will review two of them: an observational one that shows the experience of people who use it and an interventional one that evaluates the effects of its topical application in a controlled context.

Use of CBD in people with joint pain and high prevalence of knee pain

In a cross-sectional study, Frane et al. (2022) analyzed 428 people using CBD to relieve joint pain. The knee was the most frequently mentioned joint, with 53% of participants reporting discomfort in this area. The results indicate that people reported improvements of up to two points on the pain scale used, which would be a very significant reduction. In addition, 66% of the people involved reported feeling more able to perform daily activities, and 60.5% were able to reduce their use of medication over time. These data offer an interesting insight into the perceived potential of CBD.

Topical application of CBD in chronic pain of the lower extremities.

Hall et al. (2023) evaluated former athletes and individuals with chronic lower extremity pain (including, of course, knees) for at least six months. The treatment consisted of applying a topical preparation that was applied twice daily for six weeks. The results were positive: pain was reduced by 35% (from 4.8 to 3.1 points on the numerical scale) and improvements in the mobility of those observed in the study were also reported. No serious adverse effects were reported and most described the application as pleasant or neutral. These findings reinforce the idea that CBD balms, creams, ointments or oils can be a safe and well-tolerated option for localized knee care.

How to use CBD for knee pain

If you are looking for a localized effect, topical CBD products offer great versatility. You can find them in the form of balms, creams, ointments or oils, formulated to be applied directly to the skin. Ideally, they should be gently massaged into the affected area until completely absorbed.

In the study by Hall et al. (2023), the guideline was two applications per day, although on a day-to-day basis some people opt for three or four applications, always following the recommendations of the product and the accompanying specialists. These formulas can be combined with other care strategies, such as physiotherapy sessions, gentle exercises or the application of heat or cold, as long as the skin is healthy. In some cases, creams include additional ingredients such as menthol or camphor, which provide a cooling or warming sensation and can complement the comfort you are looking for. Remember that CBD products never replace medical therapies and processes, but may complement them.

Precautions: Is CBD safe?

In general, topical use of CBD is well tolerated and is not associated with serious adverse effects, as we saw in the study by Hall et al. (2023). However, as with any skin care product, it is advisable to perform a small test before the first application to ensure that it does not cause irritation.

If you have chronic medical conditions, take medication on a regular basis or have skin problems, we recommend consulting a professional before incorporating it into your routine. It is also advisable to avoid its use on injured or irritated skin or in processes such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless medically indicated. Adopting these precautions will help you to integrate CBD in a safe way and adapted to your needs.

Conclusion

Knee pain is a common discomfort that can limit simple to demanding activities. Topical CBD use presents itself as a promising alternative for those seeking localized relief, with the potential to improve mobility and daily comfort. While cannabidiol is often known for its variant in the form of CBD buds, there are also a wide variety of products such as creams, massage oils and balms that facilitate its topical application.

The studies seen and the experiences of the people who participated in them suggest that CBD is an option that deserves to be considered as part of a comprehensive knee care strategy. If you decide to try it, always do so according to the product’s instructions and, if in doubt, consult a trusted professional.

References

• Alpy, A., Yusuff, G., Simpson, T., Dpt, J. P., Dpt, M. A., PhD, R. O., & Wygand, J. (2023). Topical Cannabidiol and the Progression Rate of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. International journal of exercise science, 16(3), 1426-1439.
• Frane, N., Stapleton, E., Iturriaga, C., Ganz, M., Rasquinha, V., & Duarte, R. (2022). Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study. Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00154-9
• Hall, N., James, B., Bhuiyan, M. A. N., Crane, E., Falgout, C., & Murnane, K. S. (2023). Topical cannabidiol is well tolerated in individuals with a history of elite physical performance and chronic lower extremity pain. Journal of Cannabis Research, 5(11). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-023-00179-8
• Petersen, K. K., Rice, A. S. C., & Arendt-Nielsen, L. (2023). The use of cannabidiol (CBD) as an analgesic component. The Lancet regional health. Europe, 35, 100791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100791.
• Rojas-Valverde, D., & Fallas-Campos, A. (2023). Cannabidiol in sports: insights on how CBD could improve performance and recovery. Frontiers in pharmacology, 14, 1210202. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1210202