Home Conditions Tendinitis

Tendinitis: Can Medical Marijuana Help?

by Sarah Walker

May 8, 2019 02:00 pm ET Estimated Read Time: 7 Minutes

Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Benavides Fact checked by Kymberly Drapcho

Tendinitis is inflammation of any tendon, the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. Research shows that medical patients can use cannabis for acute and chronic pain as well as inflammation. As such, doctors may prescribe medical cannabis for tendinitis. 

Tendinitis is a painful condition that can make moving the affected joint difficult. This condition also causes the affected tendon to be tender and painful to the touch. Thankfully, medical cannabis can help ease this pain, despite the lack of research regarding tendinitis specifically. 

The cannabis plant contains over 120 naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids. The most widely used cannabinoids include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). When patients consume medical cannabis–using an edible, cream, or raw flower for smoking and vaping–it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the endocannabinoidome (eCBome), lessening pain and treating inflammation.

Receptors in the ECS activate fatty-based neurotransmitters in the body called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are responsible for helping our body with a variety of processes, including maintaining the immune system, slowing inflammation, and maintaining homeostasis.  It also plays a role in how patients perceive pain. 

Medical Cannabis for Tendinitis Pain

Medical cannabis can be an effective treatment for several different types of pain. The cannabis plant contains compounds–like terpenes and cannabinoids–with natural anti-inflammatory properties, commonly used to treat the chronic pain and inflammation associated with tendinitis. 

Unfortunately, many patients with tendinitis also experience the following forms of pain depending on the causes and duration of the damage to the tendon.

• Nerve pain, or neuropathy – happens after the initial injury or surgery
• Acute Pain- occurs with the initial injury
• Chronic pain– occurs when the tendon has not healed, and the pain is long-lasting
• Muscle Spasms or cramps– occur when the muscles that help to stabilize the joint become overworked 
• Inflammation– often associated with pain as it is part of the process of healing an injury

Doctors may also prescribe medical cannabis or CBD products for these conditions. 

According to guidelines issued during the 2020 PAINWeek conference, later published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, professionals recommend that patients treating pain with medical cannabis keep a log and begin with smaller doses until they figure out what amount helps them. 

It is not necessary to feel impaired to get the pain relief benefits from medical cannabis (20). For example, patients can use CBD oil and CBD cream with little to no THC for pain and inflammation relief. 

Cannabinoids & Other Tendinitis Symptoms

In addition to using medical cannabis and CBD oil for tendinitis-related pain, cannabis products can also help improve the following (14): 

• Sleep
• Anxiety & depression
• Reduce opioid use

Professional Athletes & Cannabis

A 2020 study researched the biomechanical effects of THC or CBD in rats after surgery for Achilles Tendinitis (24). 

Researchers found that using CBD or THC treatments in the rats improved strength and stiffness and did not decrease the biomechanical characteristics of the affected Achilles tendon compared to the control group (24). 

This research shows that CBD and THC independently do not change the Achilles tendon biomechanically during treatments. However, this research was part of a small preclinical study without full-spectrum formulations. More research is needed before medical professionals can recommend cannabinoids for human use. 

A 2018 review from the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine examined the research literature regarding the health and performance of professional athletes. The review concluded that there is no direct evidence of medical cannabis providing performance enhancing-effects, though cannabis is often listed as a prohibited item during regulated and sanctioned sporting events (36). The authors of this review also concluded that the medicinal properties of cannabis, including for pain relief and concussion symptoms warrant more research in the athletic population.

Treatments for Tendinitis

While treating tendinitis, doctors initially recommend resting the affected joint if it is an injury caused by overuse (26).  

Healthcare professionals will also commonly prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation, though steroid injections are also used to reduce tendon pain when rest and NSAIDs are not helpful. 

A healthcare professional may also prescribe physical therapy to strengthen the tendons and muscles in the affected area. 

Though the steps above show common treatments for tendinitis with few side effects, many studies looking at the cellular functionality of tendinitis rarely identify the presence of cells that cause inflammation (9).  Other treatments, such as shock-wave therapy and topical nitroglycerin patches, have shown little benefit in curing tendinitis beyond helping with localized pain.  

Fortunately, researchers and doctors are learning more about how tendons change during tendinitis and are researching new methods to promote healing. More research concerning the effectiveness of healing tendon injuries with medical cannabis is needed, though its ability to relieve pain is well understood.

Tendinitis: What is it?

Tendons are flexible bands of tissues that connect our muscles to our bones (26). These bands of tissues are stretchy and pull on muscles to cause movement of our bones (27). 

Tendons help muscles move bones in our bodies. Unfortunately, repetitive motions can damage these tendons, causing pain and inflammation. The generalized term for tendon pain is tendinopathy (9). Tendinitis is a type of tendinopathy.

Medical professionals diagnose tendinitis when the tendon shows signs of inflammation. Tendinitis typically causes joint pain and swelling, resulting in pain and sensitivity to touch. Tendinitis often occurs after repetitive movements of the same muscle group. 

Because tendons do not have as much blood supply as other tissues in the body, they may take three to six months or more to heal (9). 

Risk Factors for Tendinitis

Anyone can suffer from tendinitis, but it is most common in people who participate in activities that involve repetitive motions (29).  Other risk factors for tendinitis include (29):

• Poor posture
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Blood or kidney disease
• Being over the age of 40-  tendons tolerate less stress as a person ages
• Taking certain medications, including
  • Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin
  • Statins, a class of medications used to lower cholesterol 
  • Doxycycline, an antibiotic, has been shown the inhibit enzymes that heal tendons (23)

Tendinitis Types

There are several different types of tendinitis based on where in the body the tendon injury occurs. Patients experience swelling, pain with movement, and tenderness to the touch for each kind. 

Below are some of the most well-known types of tendinitis.

Tennis Elbow

Also known as lateral epicondylitis, this tendinitis causes pain on the outside of the elbow and forearm (34). Tennis elbow is caused by inflammation of the tendons that bend the wrist away from the palm.

Golfer’s Elbow

Also called baseball elbow or medial epicondylitis, this tendonitis causes pain from the wrist to the elbow on the palm side of the arm. It damages the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm (34). 

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

This type of tendinitis causes inflammation and pain in the joint of the shoulder and its tendons (34). 

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is considered the strongest in the body and is responsible for connecting the calf muscles to the heel, allowing people to walk and run (17). 

Jumper’s Knee

Also known as patellar tendinitis, it is common in athletes who repeatedly jump and damage the tendon that holds the kneecap to the shinbone (22). 

Bursitis: a Related Condition

Bursitis can also occur by overusing a joint, much like tendinitis. 

A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions between tendons, muscles, and bones (8). When the bursa gets inflamed, pain and swelling can occur, resulting in bursitis. 

Bursitis can occur on its own or with tendinitis. 

Tendinosis: a Related Condition

Tendinosis occurs when a tendon fails to heal (9). The first part of tendinosis occurs with overuse, injury, or tendinitis. The second stage occurs after the tendon fails to heal.    

In the final stage of tendinosis, neovasculature occurs, increasing pain in the affected tendon (9). Tenocytes, the primary cells in the tendon, begin to die. These cells are responsible for maintaining a healthy balance of the tendon and repairing it (18). This deterioration leads to visible changes in the texture of the tendon, which may result in tendon tears or increased pain (9). This process may also lead to degenerative joint issues such as osteoarthritis. 

Note: Veriheal does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.