Case report – Dupuytren’s Contracture resolves with topical cannabis salve

By John Lovejoy, D.O.

Diagnosis
Medical condition: Arthritis
Specific condition: Dupuytren’s Contracture
Symptoms
Painful finger contracture deformity with
palmar fascia and flexor tendon deformity.
Pain Scale (before treatment): 6
Abstract
46-year-old male carpenter with slowly
progressing Dupuytren’s contacture of his
right 3rd finger was advised to try using
a homemade concentrated cannabis salve
with an occlusive barrier (nitrile glove) at
bedtime in order to reduce daytime pain.
Patient returned one year later for his medical cannabis recommendation with near
complete resolution of the contracture.
Pain Scale (after treatment): 1
Patient information
Otherwise healthy non-smoker.
History & Symptomatology
Several-year progression of palmar fascia
and flexor tendon contracture of the right
third finger was making it more and more
difficult for this patient to swing a hammer on the job. He was looking for a nonpsychoactive alternative for daytime pain
relief. Exam found a classic thickened and
deformed palmar fascia with firm bead deformities of the flexor tendon.
Previous Therapies
Massage, splinting.
Cannabis Therapy
Method of administration: Topical cannabis cream was applied liberally to the
entire palmar surface of the affected hand
which was then covered by a single rubber
glove and worn overnight then removed
and washed in the morning. He was not
ingesting or smoking/vaporizing cannabis.
Frequency of Usage
Times per day 1, days per week 7
Cannabis strain highTHC/low CBD strain
by description, but not tested.
Clinical Response
Patient reported that after several weeks
of bedtime cannabis salve and a glove the
Case report
Dupuytren’s Contracture resolves with topical cannabis salve
contracture had nearly entirely resolved.
When seen by me one year later he had
near normal extensor range of motion, preserved flexor range of motion, normal appearance and no palpable deformity.
Comments
Dupuytre’s contractures may in part be
due to upregulation of myofibroblasts.
This article [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pubmed/24312195] describes the endocannabinoid system as a mediator of mesenchymal stromal cell immunosuppressive
properties.
Here is the only other case [http://www.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1402277] of
non-surgical resolution that I could find,
this with continuous passive traction. Interestingly, it calls for “further …. pharmacological studies.”
He used a homemade salve. I always advise using coconut oil plus DMSO He was uninsured at the time and couldn’t afford surgery though he wanted to. Lucky guy!
Dr. Lovejoy is a member of the Society of
Cannabis Clinicians

http://www.beyondthc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/13-Findings-and-Observations-Sully.pdf