If you have osteoarthritis, you may have pain, stiffness and swelling in your hips, knees, back, hands or other joints. You might take over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication to help and you may see a physical therapist. You might even be considering joint replacement surgery.
You may not know about another treatment option: low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT). This treatment uses small doses of targeted radiation to reduce osteoarthritis symptoms. It lowers inflammation in the tissues around the joint, which may help ease pain and improve mobility.
“This is something that has actually been in use for many decades but has not been used commonly in the United States,” said Mark Dziemianowicz, MD, a radiation oncologist with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“Research has found that about 75% of people see reductions in pain, stiffness or both, and they’re still seeing a benefit two years after LDRT treatment,” he said. LDRT may help provide long-term relief from symptoms without the need for invasive procedures like joint replacement.
“We’re mainly using this treatment when people have failed other therapies like physical therapy, weight loss, oral medications, topical medications and joint injections. But we don't need to wait that long. It's another tool that can be very effective,” Dr. Dziemianowicz said.
Benefits of LDRT for osteoarthritis
There are a few reasons you might want to consider low-dose radiation therapy:
- No surgery or recovery: If you don’t want to have joint replacement surgery or you’re not a good candidate, LDRT might be a good option. It’s painless and you don’t need any anesthesia. You can try LDRT and still get a joint replacement later, if needed.
- Less pain and better mobility: Reducing your symptoms can improve your quality of life.
- An option to try if other treatments haven’t worked: If you’ve tried medications, physical therapy and other treatments, you may have decided that you need to live with pain. LDRT may give you relief.
- Little disruption to your life: Treatment generally takes place over two to three weeks. The actual sessions only take 15 to 30 minutes each and you can get back to work and regular activities right afterward, so you can fit LDRT into a busy schedule.
What happens before treatment
If you want to try LDRT, you’ll meet with a radiation oncologist to review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and help decide if LDRT is right for you.
If you decide to go forward, you’ll have a CT scan to help plan your treatment. That helps ensure the radiation will affect the tissues it needs to target without much exposure to nearby areas. This planning session is called a simulation, which takes about an hour.
After that, your team will create a schedule for you to come in two to three times a week for two to three weeks, for a total of six sessions.
What happens during treatment
You can usually start treatment a week or two after your simulation. The process includes getting six treatments over two to three weeks.
For each treatment, you’ll check in and go into the treatment room. A radiation therapist will help you get in position on the treatment table and may use small marks on your skin or positioning tools to guide the equipment.
The machine is large and may make some low noises, but the radiation exposure only takes a few minutes and doesn’t cause any pain. “There’s no heat, pain or bright lights. It’s like getting an X-ray,” Dr. Dziemianowicz said.
You will need to stay still so the treatment targets the joint properly. The therapist will leave the room, but you can see and hear them through a TV and intercom system. Most people find the procedure easy, fast and comfortable.
“Some people start to notice a benefit after one or two treatments, and about 75% of people report benefits by the end of their treatment. If it doesn’t work, we can try a second time,” Dr. Dziemianowicz said.
Possible side effects of LDRT
Low-dose radiation therapy is generally safe and most people tolerate it well. It does not make you radioactive, so you can be around your loved ones.
There’s about a 1 in 1,000 risk of skin redness. While any type of radiation therapy can increase the risk of cancer, the risk with LDRT is extremely low. LDRT is typically offered to patients aged 40 or older to minimize this risk.
Is LDRT right for you?
If you have osteoarthritis and you’re interested in LDRT, talk to your health care provider. Your provider can evaluate your health and how severe your osteoarthritis is and make treatment recommendations that meet your goals.
The bottom line
LDRT can reduce the pain, stiffness and inflammation from osteoarthritis without the need for surgery or invasive procedures. It is a quick treatment with minimal side effects, so you can continue your daily activities without much disruption. It works for about three-quarters of people.
If you have osteoarthritis and you’d like to learn more about low-dose radiation therapy for pain relief, reach out to an expert at Banner Health.
