Exploring If Can You Get a California Medical Marijuana Card for Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a common problem in men and women, particularly the elderly. Whether you have some acute or chronic injury to your joints, it can affect your quality of life. In 2002, about 10.5 million US adults battled severe joint pain. By 2014, the number jumped to 14.6 million. Experts project that knee pain will affect more than 78 million adults by 2040.
When it comes to pain management, most people seek over the counter medications like ibuprofen. While these drugs offer some relief, it takes time. Scientists discovered that marijuana can provide relief from knee pain faster than over the counter medication.
But to buy or grow cannabis for medicinal purposes, you need a California medical marijuana card.
In this post, we explain how to obtain a medical marijuana card in California. We also discuss what knee pain is, its symptoms, causes, and risk factors.
Does Knee Pain Qualify You for Medical Marijuana in California?
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize marijuana. This is after the state passed Prop 215 with an overwhelming majority of 55.58% against 44.42%. The law exempts patients and caregivers who possess or grow marijuana for medicinal use from prosecution. It also protects physicians who recommend medical cannabis as a treatment for severe conditions such as knee pain.
A couple of decades later, the state of California passed Senate Bill 420. Introduced in 2019, this law removes marijuana from the list of controlled substances. You need to know that both laws also list health conditions approved for medical cannabis treatment.
One of those conditions is knee pain.
What Is Knee Pain?
A sharp or dull ache characterizes knee pain. Common among the elderly aged 60 years and older, knee pain is generally associated with general wear and tear from different activities. For example, bending, lifting, standing, and walking.
Research shows that athletes who run, walk, or play sports have a higher chance of experiencing knee pain and related problems. The knee is a vulnerable joint. It's composed of:
- Femur - upper leg bone or thighbone
- Patella - kneecap
- Tibia - shin bone
- Ligaments and tendons
Each bone is usually covered with cartilage. Its purpose is to protect the knee and absorb shock. Due to its location, the knees bear a great deal of stress. As a result, the friction between the cartilage wears out, leading to pain.
What Are the Causes of Knee Pain?
Being active is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy. Sadly, injuries can happen, and they usually involve the knees. Some of the most common knee problems include:
- Tendinitis
- Runner's knee
- Sprained ligaments
- Meniscal tear
- Tendinitis
This is an irritation or inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are thick cords that attach the bones of your knee to muscles. Tendinitis causes tenderness and pain. It can occur in any of your tendons. Besides the knees, it can occur around your heels, wrists, shoulders, and elbows. This condition may go away over time. If not, seek medical help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Runner's Knee
Runner's knee is a broad term describing several conditions that cause pain around the kneecap. Such conditions include chondromalacia patella, knee pain syndrome, and iliotibial band syndrome. This condition occurs when the knee cap rubs against the thigh bone when you move. A structural defect can also cause it. Most of the time, this condition goes away on its own.
Sprained Ligaments
A sprain is a tear or stretch in a ligament. This occurs when you move your joints beyond your normal range of motion. If the condition is mild, the stretched ligament will remain intact, but you'll experience swelling and mild pain. If the sprain is moderate, you'll experience a partial rupture of the ligament, swelling, and severe pain. The sprain can be severe.
In this case, there will be a complete tear of the ligament and severe pain. You may also experience extensive swelling and a feeling of complete dislocation of the joint.
Meniscal Tear
A meniscal tear occurs when there is trauma caused by the forced twisting of the knee joint. Symptoms of the condition include swelling, popping of the joint, and pain. Since the condition produces pain, it will be challenging to squat or twist your knee.
Besides the problems above, having an old knee injury can result in knee pain after a couple of months or years.
Other Causes of knee pain include:
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Bursitis
- Osgood Schlatter disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
How Do I Know if My Knee Pain Is Serious?
Several indicators will tell you if your knee pain is serious. Here are a few.
- You are unable to extend your knee fully
- You have an obvious deformity in your knee
- You have a marked knee swelling
- You can't bear your body weight on your knee
- You are experiencing pain and swelling in your knee
In the past, if you experienced the symptoms of knee pain, over the counter medication would be your first choice. Today, you have the option of buying something that offers relief much faster - medical marijuana.
Does Cannabis Work for Knee Pain?
Several studies have been carried out on chronic pain management with cannabis, and the results have been promising. In one of the studies, researchers sought to determine if cannabidiol can aid in treating knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Three hundred and twenty patients aged 41 to 78 years participated in the study. The mean knee pain score was 6.9.
Since it was a placebo-controlled multiple-dose study, the patients received 250 mg of CBD in two divided doses. Researchers observed that patients treated with CBD had a significant reduction in knee pain score.
In an ongoing study, 30 participants with knee pain took CBD and THC dissolvable tablets. Each subject takes 2 tablets daily. One in the morning and one in the evening. The patients also can take two additional tablets a day as needed for pain.
Each tablet consists of 10 mg CBD, 10 mg THC, and a blend of terpenes. Preliminary results from the study show that CBD and THC are effective in providing relief against knee pain.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in California
Today, you can get your California medical marijuana card online at OneLoveMD. All you have to do is visit OneLoveMD.org and fill in the registration form. Make sure the details provided are true.
One of our doctors will review your application. If your condition qualifies for medical cannabis treatment, you'll receive a video-chat invite. The invite allows our doctor to evaluate you. The doctor will ask a couple of questions to learn more about your condition and medical history. Be honest to the best of your knowledge.
It also helps to have your medical records with you. If you qualify for medical cannabis treatment, you'll receive pdf copies of your medical marijuana card and recommendation. Now, you can visit a local dispensary in California and buy medical cannabis.
Get your medical marijuana card today!
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