Cannabidiol to reduce opioid use after knee replacement surgery
Official title: Cannabidiol for postoperative Opioid Reduction in primary total Knee arthroplasty – a randomized, 2x2 factorial, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (The CORK trial)
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11401961 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinical trial tests whether CBD can help lower opioid needs after knee replacement without extra side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,162,079 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AR083132-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401961 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty who consent to participate in a randomized trial.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not experience reduced opioid needs or may have adverse reactions to CBD.
What this research studies
Patients undergoing knee replacement are given cannabidiol or placebo in a rigorous, double-blind setup to see if CBD can reduce the amount of opioids they need for pain after surgery. The study uses a 2x2 design to compare CBD vs placebo and different pain-relief regimens, aiming to minimize opioid-related side effects. If CBD proves helpful, it could offer a safer way to manage pain and improve recovery after knee surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CBD could reduce opioid use after knee replacement and lessen side effects, improving recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests CBD may help with pain and anxiety, but high-quality trials in postoperative settings are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brummett, Chad M — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Brummett, Chad M
Related research
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-
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Multimodal Pain Help After Knee Replacement
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Cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce opioid use after knee replacement
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-
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This project uses small neuromuscular electrical stimulation during rehab to help people regain quadriceps strength after total knee replacement.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.