The study, led by Michigan Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology, will be the largest yet to evaluate if CBD administered pre- and post-surgery reduces opioid consumption after surgery.

For many of the 14 million-plus Americans with knee osteoarthritis — a painful and often debilitating disease — a total knee arthroplasty is necessary to alleviate symptoms and improve the knee’s function.

Despite advances in perioperative pain care, acute and persistent pain remain a major issue following surgery, with opioids currently serving as the primary treatment for acute pain after surgery. But since opioids can become habit forming — and include side effects like nausea, dizziness, and constipation — two Michigan healthcare institutions are partnering to investigate alternatives that could limit post-surgery opioid use.

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