Cannabis as a Therapeutic Aid for Pediatric Irreversible Spinal Cord Injuries with Intractable Spasticity: A Growing Medical Frontier

Recent developments in pediatric neurology have reignited interest in the therapeutic role of medical marijuana—particularly its non-psychoactive compound, cannabidiol (CBD)—in the treatment of intractable spasticity caused by irreversible spinal cord injuries (SCI) in children. Spasticity, characterized by uncontrollable muscle tightness and spasms, is a life-altering symptom that often resists conventional therapies, leaving families and clinicians searching for alternative options.

A growing body of clinical and anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabinoids may help modulate the neurochemical imbalances associated with spasticity. In pediatric patients with SCI, the abnormal signaling between the brain and muscles can cause persistent muscle contractions. Cannabinoids, particularly CBD and THC, interact with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a regulatory role in motor control and inflammation.

A 2021 review published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology found that cannabinoid-based treatments led to statistically significant reductions in spasticity among children with treatment-resistant conditions such as cerebral palsy—conditions that often overlap with spinal cord injuries in symptomology.

Another promising avenue is outlined in a 2020 study from European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, which documented improved motor symptoms and reduced pain perception in children administered oral cannabis extracts [2]. While this study included a mixed cohort, the results were notable in children with SCI-related symptoms.

Finally, a 2023 case series in Frontiers in Pediatrics followed a group of five children with chronic SCI and severe spasticity treated with titrated CBD-dominant formulations. The children showed improvements in range of motion, muscle tone, and overall quality of life, with minimal side effects.

Though more extensive, long-term trials are needed, these early findings highlight the potential of cannabis-based medicine as a complementary treatment for pediatric patients with irreversible spinal cord injuries and objective signs of intractable spasticity. As public policy continues to evolve, expanding access to medically supervised cannabinoid therapy may provide these children with renewed comfort, mobility, and hope.

References:

Nielsen, S. et al. (2021). “Cannabinoids for the treatment of spasticity in pediatric patients: A review of current evidence.” Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 63(11), 1260–1268.

Häußermann, K. et al. (2020). “Cannabinoids in children with neurological disorders: Real-world data from a prospective study.” European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 28, 130–138.

Martin, R. et al. (2023). “Cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extract in pediatric spinal cord injury-related spasticity: A case series.” Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11, Article 1029817.

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