Not Yet RecruitingPhase 2

CBD Knee Osteoarthritis Study

United States30 participantsStarted 2026-07-01

Plain-language summary

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common cause of pain in the US. The currently available medicines for knee osteoarthritis sometimes are not effective at relieving the pain or have unacceptable side effects. Thus, alternate pain relieving treatments are needed. CBD, an active chemical from the hemp derived cannabis sativa plant, has received a lot of attention for its potential pain relieving properties, but there has been limited research to find out if topically applied CBD can decrease pain from knee osteoarthritis. CBD lacks the psychoactive effects seen with marijuana use, because it does not contain THC which is responsible for those effects in marijuana. It is legal to use CBD in the State of Tennessee (site of study). The CBD Knee Study is sponsored by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and is a collaborative effort between doctors at UT and Campbell Clinic. In the CBD Knee Study, the investigators are examining whether topically applied CBD dissolved in Castor Oil will relieve knee pain in persons with knee osteoarthritis. Persons who take part in the study would need to come for study visits, fill out questionnaires about their health and knee pain, and would be asked to use the topical study oil on their knees. Taking part in the CBD Knee Study is voluntary.

Who can participate

Age range

21 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Knee OA (grade 2-3 as measured by the Kellgren-Lawrence Classification)
. OA knee pain on the Visual Analog Pain Scale \> 4 in either knee
. Receiving treatment at one of the eight Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics locations

Exclusion criteria

. Other forms of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis due to different sources of inflammation in these conditions
. Allergies to CBD or Castor Oil
. Current opioid use

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Knee Pain

Timeframe: Day 1 - Baseline One Visit, Day 30 - Follow-up One Visit, Day 44 - Baseline Two Visit, and Day 74 - Follow-up Two Visit

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07638189

SponsorUniversity of Tennessee

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-03-20

Contact for this trial

Karen Derefinko, PhD

901-448-5900 kderefin@uthsc.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Osteoarthitis trials