Wrist Fractures and Marijuana Use: What are the complications?
Filed under Treatments
Title: Marijuana use and complications with healing after distal radius wrist fracture
Article:
Livesey, M. G., Bains, S. S., Stern, J. M., Chen, Z., Dubin, J. A., Monárrez, R., … & Ingari, J. V. (2025). Cannabis use in patients with distal radius fractures: a moment of unity?. Hand, 20(2), 263-268.
The skinny
The impact of tobacco use on surgical outcomes is well documented, no prior studies investigate the impact of cannabis (marijuana) use on long term surgical outcomes, This study compared the 1-year surgical complication rate of nonunion, malunion and surgical site infection between (1) non smokers, (2) cannabis smokers and (3) those who smoke both tobacco and cannabis.
Because the same receptors utilized by cannabis also affect bone cell function, bone turnover and bone mass, this study sought to identify any negative impact of cannabis use on bone healing post-operatively.
In the weeds
A national all-payer database was sampled between 2015 and 2020 with sample size decreased to a random sampling of 20,000 patients from each cohort was used to improve the accuracy of the multivariable regression model. Smokers were defined as those that smoke for 1 year prior and 1 year after surgery.
Bringing it home
| Tobacco only | Cannabis only | Tobacco & cannabis | Non-smokers | |
| Nonunion | 3.8% | 2.3% | 5% | 1.1% |
| Malunion | 3.4 | 2.2% | 3.8% | 1% |
| Site Infection | 0.57% | * | 0.62% | 0.09% |
- The small number of subjects in this category prevented reporting this value
Through statistical analysis of Odds Ratios (OR), the use of tobacco and cannabis had a significant impact on the occurrence of nonunion, malunion and site infection. The use of cannabis alone had a statistically significant impact on the rate of malunion and infection, but nonunion risk factors were not significantly elevated given the sample size.
Rating
4 out of 5
The use of a national database for data collection allowed for large sample sizes, but it also requires accurate reporting of the related information recorded in the database. The data available also did not indicate the rate or frequency of consumption of tobacco or cannabis.
Regardless, the immunosuppressive effects of cannabis has direct impact on infection rate and the use of the same receptors for bone cell function and bone turnover affect malunion and nonunion.
More To Read
Article Review: Best Edema Management Techniques in Hand Therapy
Miller, L. K., Jerosch-Herold, C., & Shepstone, L. (2017). Effectiveness of edema management techniques for subacute hand edema: a systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy, 30(4), 432-446. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2017.05.011 By: Ammie Ingwaldson The Skinny Edema is something therapists deal with on a daily basis and often is apart of most treatments. Managing edema can be a challenge…
Mechanism of Interneural Edema in Carpal and Cubital Tunnel
Mechanism of Interneural Edema Over the last few weeks I have been learning about ultrasonic imaging and carpal tunnel syndrome. When reviewing carpal tunnel syndrome, I learned that intraneural edema is a common sign of compression injuries such as carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel. There are numerous causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, and every scenario…
Hand Therapy: Conservative Management of Pediatric Monteggia Fractures
Conservative Management of Pediatric Monteggia Fractures Monteggia fractures in children comprise approximately 2% of pediatric elbow fractures and involve a fracture of the proximal ulna with dislocation of the radial head (Fig. 1). The primary concern of Monteggia fractures includes the treatment (monteggia fracture treatment pediatric) and relocation of the radial head, because if left…
Neurolutions IpsiHand to Aide in Stroke Rehabilitation in Patients with Hemiparesis
Neurolutions IpsiHand to Aide in Stroke Rehabilitation in Patients with Hemiparesis Hemiparesis occurs in approximately 77% of new stroke cases and often persists into thechronic stage (Humphries et al., 2021). Recent innovation, such as brain-computer interfaces(BCIs), offer new opportunities for motor recovery even years after stroke. One such approach is the Neurolutions IpsiHand System, an…
Sign-up to Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
Sign up with us and we will send you regular blog posts on everything hand therapy, notices every time we upload new videos and tutorials, along with handout, protocols, and other useful information.