What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is pain and inflammation affecting one or more joints. It is not a single condition: there are more than 100 types, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most common. You may also have heard of psoriatic arthritis, gout, and lupus, which are also forms of arthritis.
Arthritis and other common joint problems affect more than 10 million people in the UK. Different types of arthritis have different causes. Some are linked to age-related wear in the joints, while others happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
Arthritis and Medical Cannabis: The Facts
of patients with arthritis associated CBD use with improvements in pain [1].
What Causes Arthritis?
The cause of arthritis depends on the type. The two most common forms have very different underlying causes.
Osteoarthritis is associated with ageing and the long-term effects of joint use and injury. It involves structural changes within the joint and is the most common joint disease worldwide.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the joints. It often affects the small joints of the hands and feet on both sides of the body in a symmetrical pattern, although it can affect any joint. It can also affect other parts of the body, including the eyes, lungs, and heart.
What Are the Main Signs of Arthritis?
The signs of arthritis can vary depending on the type of arthritis and the joints affected. However, some of the most common signs include:
- Joint pain and tenderness
- Swelling, inflammation, and redness around affected joints
- Reduced range of movement
- Weakness or muscle loss
Symptoms may develop gradually over time or appear more suddenly, depending on the underlying cause of the arthritis.
What is the Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is that osteoarthritis involves the gradual breakdown of joint cartilage, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that attacks the joints and surrounding tissue.
- Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects individuals at a younger age, but not always. It typically affects multiple joints at the same time and is often symmetrical (affecting the same joints on each side of the body).
- Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight-bearing joints, particularly the knees and hips, and is more closely linked to age and joint use.
What Causes Arthritis to Flare Up?
An arthritis flare-up is a period when symptoms become worse than usual. The flare-ups are often caused by overuse of the affected joints. However, other factors may also trigger a flare-up, including not following your treatment plan consistently, stress, or a lack of sleep. Triggers can vary from person to person, so it may be helpful to keep track of factors that seem to worsen your symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?
Arthritis symptoms vary depending on the type and the joints affected. Pain is the most common symptom, but many people also experience stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement that can make everyday activities harder. The back, hips, knees, hands, and feet are among the areas most commonly affected.
Arthritis can affect more than physical health. Living with ongoing pain and reduced mobility can also have an impact on mood, sleep, relationships, work, and daily life.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a range of symptoms, some of which help healthcare professionals distinguish it from other forms of arthritis. Common symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling in joints, that is often symmetrical and warm to the touch
- Pain in fingers and toes that spreads to other joints
- Red and discoloured joints
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause symptoms that affect other parts of the body, including:
- Disrupted sleep and fatigue
- Depression and mood changes
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth and eyes
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
- Tender joints that have limited movement
- Stiffness and pain when moving joints
- A crackling or grating noise or sensation
- Loss of muscle bulk
- Swollen joints
Treatment Options for Arthritis
There is currently no cure for arthritis, but a range of treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The right treatment depends on the type of arthritis, how severe the symptoms are, and how the condition affects your daily life. Managing arthritis often works best with a combination of approaches.
Common approaches include:
- Physiotherapy, regular exercise, and staying active.
- Adaptations at home or work to protect the joints.
- Psychological support to help with the impact of living with a long-term condition.
- Pain relief, from simple painkillers to stronger medicines for more severe symptoms.
- Specialist medicines that help regulate the immune system for inflammatory types such as rheumatoid arthritis.
When conventional treatments have not provided enough relief, some people ask their doctor about other options. Medical cannabis is one option a specialist may consider for certain patients, alongside – not instead of – standard care. It is not a cure and is not suitable for everyone.
How does Arthritis Affect People?
Arthritis can affect many parts of daily life. Ongoing pain, stiffness, and reduced movement can make it harder to work, exercise, sleep, and take part in social activities. For some people, symptoms also affect mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.
The impact varies from person to person. Some people have occasional symptoms, while others live with persistent pain that affects their independence and ability to carry out everyday tasks. The effects can also be felt at work; research has estimated that arthritis could lead to the loss of more than 61,000 productive working years among people aged 45 to 64 by 2030 [3].
Because symptoms can change over time and may not always respond fully to conventional treatment, some people explore additional options with their healthcare team. To read about real patient experiences with medical cannabis prescribed for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, visit our testimonials page.
Medical Cannabis for Arthritis
Medical cannabis may be prescribed for some patients with arthritis who continue to experience symptoms despite trying conventional treatments. In the UK, specialist doctors have been able to legally prescribe medical cannabis since 2018, and eligible patients may be able to access treatment through private clinics such as Curaleaf.
Medical cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors and signalling molecules involved in regulating processes such as pain, sleep, mood, and appetite. Researchers believe this system plays an important role in how pain is processed and experienced throughout the body.[4]
Two of the most widely studied cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC interacts directly with cannabinoid receptors and is studied for its effects on pain, sleep, and appetite. CBD interacts with the system differently and is studied for its potential role in pain and overall wellbeing.
Whether medical cannabis is appropriate depends on your symptoms, medical history, and previous treatments, and can only be decided by a specialist clinician after a full assessment.
Cannabis and Arthritis Research
Research into medical cannabis for arthritis is still developing, and the current evidence is limited. Most existing studies are small or observational, which means they can describe what patients report but cannot prove that medical cannabis causes those changes. Larger, controlled clinical trials are needed.
Two analyses from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have looked at patients prescribed medical cannabis. One examined people with osteoarthritis and recorded patient-reported measures of pain, sleep quality, and anxiety during treatment [5]. Another looked at people with inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, and recorded patient-reported measures of pain, sleep quality, anxiety, and quality of life [6].
Studies like these describe how patients experience treatment in everyday clinical practice. They add to our understanding, but further real-world evidence and larger clinical studies are needed to clarify which patients, if any, are most likely to benefit and the long-term effects of treatment.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Medical Cannabis?
Like all medicines, medical cannabis can cause side effects, and it is not suitable for everyone. In the UK Medical Cannabis Registry analysis of patients with osteoarthritis, the most commonly reported side effect was fatigue. Other side effects reported with medical cannabis can include dizziness, dry mouth, changes in appetite, nausea, and effects on mood or concentration.
Your specialist clinician will discuss the possible benefits and risks with you, review whether the treatment is suitable given your medical history and other medicines, and monitor you if treatment is started.
Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Arthritis?
Medical cannabis is not a first-line treatment for arthritis and is not suitable for everyone. If you live with arthritis symptoms and conventional treatments have not provided enough relief, you may be eligible for an assessment with a specialist clinician.
You can start by completing our online eligibility assessment. The team will review your medical records and treatment history to understand your symptoms and the treatments you have already tried. If appropriate, you will be invited to speak with a specialist clinician who can discuss whether medical cannabis may be a suitable option for you.
References
[1] Frane, N., Stapleton, E., Iturriaga, C. et al. Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study. J Cannabis Res 4, 47 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00154-9
[2] Arthritis UK. (2025). The State of Musculoskeletal Health. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/policy-and-data/health-intelligence/the-state-of-musculoskeletal-health/
[3] Schofield D, Cunich M, Shrestha RN, Tanton R, Veerman L, Kelly S, Passey ME. The long-term economic impacts of arthritis through lost productive life years: results from an Australian microsimulation model. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):654. Doi:1186/s12889-018-5509-3.
[4] Woodhams SG, Chapman V, Finn DP, Hohmann AG, Neugebauer V. The cannabinoid system and pain. Neuropharmacology. 2017 Sep 15;124:105-120. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.015. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID: 28625720; PMCID: PMC5785108
[5] Francis, A., Erridge, S., Holvey, C., Coomber, R., Holden, W., Rucker, J., … Sodergren, M. (2024). Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Osteoarthritis: Analysis From the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, 38(2), 103–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2340076
[6] Francis, A., Erridge, S., Holvey, C., Coomber, R., Guru, R., Medniuk, A. D., … Sodergren, M. H. (2024). Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis: Analysis From the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Journal of Cannabis Research, 6, Article 49. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000556
