Introducing
LDRT for Osteoarthritis
What Is Low-Dose Radiation Therapy?
Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) uses carefully planned radiation directed at a painful joint. For osteoarthritis, the dose is much lower than doses commonly used to treat cancer.
What it is designed to do
In addition to reducing pain and inflammation, emerging randomized data suggest LDRT may slow structural progression of osteoarthritis and potentially modify the longer-term course of the disease.
What you will notice
- No incisions or injections.
- You do not feel the radiation being delivered.
- You do not become radioactive.
Your exact treatment recommendation depends on your joint, diagnosis and medical history.
What Studies Suggest
Published research reports encouraging results, but outcomes vary and an individualized consultation is important.
4 month pain response in patients receiving LDRT vs those receiving a sham (fake) treatment.
Overall, numerous studies suggest that approximately 70% of patients experience improvement in pain. In many treatment series, 40-50% of patients received a second course of treatment.
Less arthritis progression and fewer knee replacements
14% vs 36%LDRT was associated with less structural progression on MRI. Among patients with grade 2 osteoarthritis, 14% treated with LDRT required knee replacement compared with 36% who did not receive LDRT.
What Treatment Is Like
The exact plan depends on your joint, diagnosis and medical history.
Consult
Review your diagnosis, imaging, symptoms, current treatments, goals, risks and alternatives.
Plan
A planning visit where a CT scan will be performed to map the treatment area and nearby tissue.
Treatment – 6–10 visits
A common OA course is 6-10 brief outpatient treatments, often 2 or 3 visits per week. You lie still while the team watches from nearby. Your exact schedule may differ.
Follow up
Your team reassesses pain and function. If improvement occurs, it may be gradual; some people do not benefit.
Tell the team if you might be pregnant or have had radiation treatment before.
Is LDRT Right for Me?
An evaluation may be reasonable if:
- You have an osteoarthritis diagnosis and persistent joint pain.
- Therapy, activity changes, medications or injections have not helped enough.
- You want to understand nonsurgical options, or surgery is not a good fit right now.
LDRT is not for everyone
Age, pregnancy, prior radiation, the exact joint, other health conditions and available alternatives all matter.
Bring to Your Visit
Recent imaging, a treatment history and what you hope to do with less pain.
David Boyce, MD, MHM
Board-certified radiation oncologist with MD Anderson specialty training.
Beacon ClinicSafety & Common Questions
Short-term side effects are minimal.
No radiation treatment is risk-free; however, LDRT is very well tolerated. In published OA studies, short-term effects were usually mild or not observed. Possible effects include temporary skin or nail changes, tiredness, or a brief symptom flare. There is a small theoretical long-term risk of radiation-induced cancer.
Will my insurance cover this?
Insurance coverage for LDRT depends on your health plan. We’ll verify your benefits, then explain any expected out-of-pocket costs before treatment. If covered, costs may include a deductible, copay, or coinsurance. If LDRT isn’t covered—or you prefer not to use insurance—we offer a cash-pay option and will share the cost upfront.
Will it prevent joint replacement?
It may prolong your time without needing surgery.
Will treatment hurt?
You will not see or feel the radiation beam.
Can treatment be repeated?
Yes. Because of the low treatment dose, a second course may be considered if symptoms persist or recur.
Other Selected Benign Conditions
Low-dose radiation therapy also has established, condition-specific roles in several other benign disorders, including early Dupuytren or Ledderhose disease, prevention of heterotopic ossification around selected surgeries, and postoperative treatment of recurrent keloids.
It may also be considered for a range of chronic inflammatory and degenerative tendon and soft-tissue conditions, including shoulder bursitis, lateral elbow tendinitis, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and related disorders.
Treatment timing, dose, and supporting evidence vary by condition. Ask what Beacon offers.