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Types of ResourcesA painless, non-invasive option for treating the most common form of arthritis
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition, affecting more than 32.5 million people – one in seven adults - in the United States. Common symptoms affecting the foot, ankle, shoulder, and/or hand include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Loss of mobility
- Joint Swelling
What Is Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT)?
Traditionally, the common treatment options for osteoarthritis include pain-relief medications like ibuprofen and naproxen, steroid injections, and joint replacement surgery. LDRT offers an alternative for patients who prefer a less invasive approach.
With LDRT, a radiation oncologist directs a very low dose of radiation at the arthritic joint, decreasing inflammation in that area. Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has virtually no side effects and can help patients lead more comfortable lives with just a few treatments.
Is LDRT New?
LDRT has been used worldwide for several decades—especially in Germany, where more than 30,000 patients are treated each year. Studies show that patients who have undergone low-dose radiation for osteoarthritis have about a 70% chance of significant pain reduction, and of those patients who respond, about 80% will have significant relief for two years.
What Are the Advantages of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy?
- Long-term pain relief and improved joint mobility
- Non-invasive approach without medications or surgery
- Virtually no side effects
- Treatments are short and painless
What Patients Are Good Candidates for LDRT?
LDRT is ideal for patients who:
- Are interested in less aggressive treatment and want to avoid a surgical procedure like joint replacement
- Are unable to take certain medications
- Haven’t had success with other pain-management options
How is Radiation Administered?
Our radiation oncologist and support team will use a medical linear accelerator (LINAC), which is the same device commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for our patients with cancer. However, the dosage administered for osteoarthritis is about 1/10th to 1/20th the amount used in oncology treatment.
What is the Treatment Process Like?
A course of LDRT consists of six total treatments, with each appointment taking about a half-hour in the radiation clinic.
- We start with an initial consultation covering what to expect and any potential side effects.
- We then schedule a CT scan to design your treatment – and begin treatment a week later.
- Each treatment session takes about 20 minutes, most of which is spent setting the patient up in the treatment position. The actual time of receiving the radiation is only about 15 seconds. You won’t see or feel anything during treatment.
- The patient receives this treatment every other day – typically Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for two weeks.
This content was medically reviewed on 10/22/2024.