Abstract
Introduction: The potential medical applications of cannabis in the treatment of painful muscle spasms and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis are currently being tested in clinical trials. The active compound in herbal cannabis, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, exerts all of its known central effects through the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor. Research on cannabinoid mechanisms and antinociceptive actions is evolving.
The aim is to study whether cannabis has any role as a pain relief agent in chronic degenerated disc disease without spinal stenosis.
Method: Prospective audit observational study
Material: During two years periods 17 afrocarribean male patients who are regular cannabis user and MRI confirmed disc disease participated in this survey who had opiates and epidural injection therapy.
Result: All had used cannabis such as marihuana, hashish as a recreational drug before the onset of their illness. 64.7% of the patients stated the symptoms of their illness to have ‘much improved’ after cannabis ingestion, 29.4% stated to have ‘slightly improved’. 76.4% stated to be ‘very satisfied’ with their therapeutic use of cannabis.
Conclusion: This survey reveals use of cannabis products for symptomatic relief of back pain. However it is limited by highly selected patient group, no conclusions can be drawn about the quantity of wanted and unwanted effects of the medicinal use of the plant for particular indications. Physician supervision of medical marijuana use would allow more effective monitoring of therapeutic and unwanted effects. Medicines based on drugs that enhance the function of endocannabinoids may offer novel therapeutic approaches in the future.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Alison McGregor, c/o BOA, SBPR at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
