JOINT PAIN MANAGEMENT
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy – Innovative & Noninvasive
Treatment Option for Osteoarthritis
Low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) is a painless x-ray treatment that targets the inflammatory cells of the affected joint. It is very effective in providing pain relief to those often suffering from joint or tendon pain from osteoarthritis. The targeted therapy helps relieve the inflammation that causes the pain, without changing any joint structure. LDRT is not a cure for osteoarthritis, but a treatment to alleviate symptoms.
Who is a candidate for LDRT?
- Someone diagnosed with osteoarthritis, with limited success of pain relief from conventional treatment methods, such as medication, injections, rest, physical therapy
- Someone suffering persistent joint pain for more than three months
- Someone experiencing quality of life impact due to joint pain and limitations in physical movement and normal daily activities
- Someone suffering from joint pain who is not a candidate for surgery due to medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or obesity
What to Expect:
- Consultation: Schedule initial consultation with a board-certified radiation oncologist to assess the status of your osteoarthritis diagnosis. Additional imaging may be required
- Treatment Planning Session is scheduled so treatment plan can be finalized
- Treatments are Scheduled – 6-10 treatments over a two-week period
- Post Treatment Care & Monitoring: Follow up appointments will be scheduled to evaluate patients progress with pain management and potential next steps.
Benefits of LDRT:
- Improved Quality of Life: Reducing pain allows for increased movement, mobility and functionality, increasing physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, etc. with less pain and brings a patient back to their normal lifestyle.
- Pain Relief: Pain levels can be significantly reduced by the LDRT targeting inflammatory processes within the joint. The radiation decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines, small proteins responsible for joint inflammation and discomfort.
- Minimal side effects: Side effects from LDRT are rare, but patients may experience slight skin irritation or temporary mild fatigue, but there are no documented long-term side effects.
- Non-invasive alternative: The LDRT is an out-patient service, without going to the hospital or having surgery or anesthesia. The treatment does not prevent patients from getting surgery or joint injections in the future, but is a painless and noninvasive solution that can potentially avoid or delay surgery or injections.
Clinical Outcomes:
The benefit of LDRT can provide pain relief and be a solution to avoid or delay surgery. 70% of osteoarthritis patients experience some level of pain reduction and/or improved joint function with LDRT*. LDRT is not prescribed if a patient has already had surgery.Cite Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011393X25000025