One of our staff members recently spoke with Dr. John Rodgers, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster. He chose to focus on this area of medicine — in particular joint replacement — for the chance to improve people’s lives.
Most of Dr. Rodgers’ patients come to him for help dealing with painful joints, especially the knee, shoulder, and hip. The most common issue causing this pain is arthritis. While there are several types of arthritis, in general it refers to swelling and tenderness in one or more joints. It also causes stiffness and decreased range of motion.
Patients also seek him out for treatment for musculoskeletal pain, which can affect the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and/or nerves. This pain can be acute (having a rapid onset with severe symptoms) or chronic (long-lasting).
While some patients start seeing Dr. Rodgers when they reach their 40s, many have their first visit in their 50s or older.
“Most patients who come in have been trying Tylenol, Aleve, and other over-the-counter pain relievers,” he says, and some have tried chiropractic care. Many have also tried supplements, like glucosamine, and topicals, such as BioFreeze. Some patients have also tried opioids, but experience the negative side effects that are common with that class of medication.
Dr. Rodgers first started recommending CBD (cannabidiol) in 2018, after seeing the growing successful use of that treatment by his patients.
“It’s another avenue to try before getting surgery, such as a joint replacement,” he says.
Many of his patients don’t know about cannabidiol before he recommends trying it. For the patients who respond to it well, he says, it helps them get through the day without being overtaken by pain. This includes being able to sleep through the night.
Some patients need reassurance that CBD products are safe and legal. For example, patients who work as truckers have to take regular drug tests, and wonder if CBD use will show up on a drug test, like THC does. It doesn’t, Dr. Rodgers assures them, as long as your CBD products come from a company that conducts third-party lab testing to ensure the THC content is zero percent.
The most important consideration to take before trying a CBD product, he says, is to find a reliable source — meaning a company that posts third-party lab reports and is transparent about product standards and manufacturing practices.
“I recommend Hempfield Botanicals. I believe it’s a company that makes good CBD products,” says Dr. Rodgers.