Have you ever had a sprain? Multiply that feeling of pain and—voilà—you might be on your way to understanding the pain people experience when a bone fractures.
There are many reasons a bone might fracture, but generally, it occurs when there is excessive pressure on it. This could be caused by a fall, a heavy object impacting the body, or overuse.
Either way, repairing the damage a broken or fractured bone causes can take months, and the process often comes with excruciating pain. It can also disrupt daily functioning and cause ongoing discomfort. If you are thinking cannabis is the savior, it is not— but can it support recovery?
Possibly, yes. Let us explore how cannabis can help.
When a bone breaks, the first sensation the person feels is a sharp, intense pain. The body sends out these pain signals to let you know that something in your body needs attention.
This is because a bone breaking is not just about the bone; it is also about damage to nearby tissues, blood vessels, and nerves that can lead to bleeding and blood clots. Immediately, the body moves to find solutions. It begins by making the area swell or be inflamed (hematoma formation), compelling the body to send out cells to begin the healing process.
These cells, fibroblasts, and chondroblasts then make a soft, flexible callus made of collagen and cartilage (granulation tissue formation). This callus holds the bone pieces together, but is not yet strong enough to support the bone, so at this stage, the bone should remain immobile.
Then osteoblasts (bone-building cells) replace the soft callus with hard, mineralized bone. This forms a hard callus that stabilizes the fracture for the reshaping of the bone to begin (called bony callus formation). Pain reduces during this time, but stiffness and weakness are common because the surrounding muscles and joints have not been mobile.
Finally, the body reshapes and strengthens the new bone through a process called bone remodeling. Osteoclasts remove old and excess bone, while osteoblasts rebuild it properly. The bone then proceeds to adapt to normal stress and load.
When bones break, because the body tries to protect it from further damage, it sends alarm bells in the form of pain and builds a barricade in the form of inflammation. While this helps the body system begin its healing process and alerts the individual to seek medical attention, it does not make the process any less painful.
Medical cannabis doctors recommend cannabis to help relieve this fracture pain, either alongside or instead of traditional painkillers, particularly when it is chronic and persistent. This is because medical cannabis can potentially offer relief by interacting with the endocannabinoid system’s (ECS) receptors to reduce pain signals.
Medical cannabis also has muscle-relaxing properties that may help reduce tension around the fractured bone, thereby lessening the sensation of pain. Likewise, by reducing inflammation, cannabis decreases swelling and pressure that can cause pain. All of which contribute to better sleep and reducing discomfort.
Research on fracture repair in rats shows that CBD enhances the enzyme lysyl hydroxylase for the cross-linking of collagen to form a stronger bone. A 2025 review of cannabinoid pharmacology of bone healing highlights that CBD activates the CB2 receptor consistently to promote bone formation.
Recent preclinical research on CBD and cannabigerol (CBG) shows they are more effective than standard nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in reducing post-fracture pain and promoting bone healing in mice. Furthermore, CBD may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress at fractured areas, promoting faster fracture healing. Since CBD hits over 65 targets, research suggests it also helps the healing of neighboring nerves – targeting the source of long-term fracture pain (neuropathic).
However, cannabis, especially high doses of THC, may have a negative impact on bone healing, and results of cannabinoids’ interactions with the ECS may depend largely on dose, genetic background, cannabinoid type, and individual tolerance. Researchers consider cannabis, particularly CBD, to possess bone-healing properties; however, these are preclinical, undergoing study, and no high-quality human trial supports these observations.
Licensed medical marijuana doctors have key roles they play in guiding cannabis use during bone recovery. This way, they can help patients use cannabis safely to avoid worsening their condition and prevent developing opioid tolerance and dependence.
Firstly, the doctor, through an evaluation process, can assess the patient’s specific bone fracture, medical history, and other relevant medical information they require to offer a guided recommendation. This evaluation helps the doctor determine whether cannabis is an appropriate option by assessing potential interactions and risks.
Next, the doctor offers guidance on choosing the right cannabinoid formulation, titration, and dosing, taking into consideration the patient’s needs, such as the intensity of the pain.
Another key role a medical cannabis doctor plays is in the area of consumption method. Medical marijuana doctors often encourage oral, sublingual, or topical products rather than smoking because smoking can lead to poor bone healing and respiratory risks.
Finally, medical marijuana doctors also provide ongoing care for patients in order to provide them with more intentional care. They reassess symptoms, adjust dose, and ensure cannabis does not substitute orthopedic care, physical therapy, and other standard treatments but rather supports them.
Applying for a medical marijuana card online for injury-related pain is not like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Even if states may not always add specifics, chronic pain or peripheral neuropathy are usually common qualifying conditions for a medical cannabis card. So, getting a medical marijuana card for injury pain is quite seamless, especially with services like Marijuana Doctors.
You schedule an appointment, get a thorough evaluation, and receive a recommendation or certification from a licensed medical marijuana doctor online. You keep to state laws by applying via your state’s program and fulfil all requirements. If the state reviews your application and approves, you get your medical marijuana recommendation and card.
Balanced THC:CBD formulations can help reduce pain, while CBD and CBG-rich products may help reduce inflammation, swelling, and discomfort. This can be helpful for people with broken bones.
To use cannabis safely alongside pain medications for fractures, consult your doctor to assess potential interactions. Especially if you are using opioids, as you may need supervised weaning. Depending on the cannabinoid, dose, and other factors, it can worsen the condition.
Some research suggests that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help with bone healing. However, stay safe and only use CBD or CBG for bone healing after consulting your medical cannabis doctor and orthopedist.
You may not qualify for a medical marijuana card solely for a broken bone, but you can under broader categories such as chronic pain, peripheral neuropathy, or even under a doctor’s discretion.
Doctors will likely recommend tinctures (preferred) or edibles when recovering from fractures, because smoking can delay healing time, weaken bone repair, and even increase the risk of complications and re-injury.
Tinctures are better than edibles since they are usually whole-plant, simply formulated, better-absorbed, faster-acting, and importantly do not contain added sugars, food colorings, artificial or other medicinal additives, allergens, nor other pro-inflammatory substances.
Medical cannabis may help improve sleep during injury recovery by reducing pain and inflammation through its interaction with the ECS.
According to research, it could do both. It depends on cannabinoid type, and may also depend on individual biology, dose, and route (avoid smoking). Medical marijuana doctors, in coordination with your orthopedist, can help identify and monitor the effects of medical marijuana for broken bones.
Definitely, a medical marijuana doctor can guide you with the proper dosing during your recovery process. They are in the best position to make these recommendations because of their independent cannabis study, formal medical training, and clinical experience.
If your state allows online evaluations, then you can get a medical marijuana evaluation through Veriheal for chronic injury pain.
When using cannabis after a bone fracture, patients should avoid chronic THC use, smoking, and combining cannabis with other drugs without medical guidance. Patients should also avoid activities that might put them at risk of falling, because cannabis can cause lightheadedness, and lastly, they should not make the mistake of replacing standard treatments or therapy with cannabis.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie
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