Osteoarthritis affects more than 32 million Americans and is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability. For patients who continue to have pain despite standard treatments, low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) may offer meaningful relief.

What Is LDRT?

LDRT uses very low doses of radiation to reduce inflammation within affected joints. It has been used extensively in Europe for decades and is gaining interest as a treatment option for selected patients with osteoarthritis.

Why Consider Referral?

LDRT may provide a safe, non-surgical treatment option for carefully selected patients who have exhausted conservative therapies and continue to experience chronic osteoarthritis pain.

Potential Benefits

• Pain relief in approximately 70–85% of patients
• Improved mobility and function
• Benefits may last for months to years
• Non-surgical treatment option
• Minimal side effects reported

Treatment Schedule

• Patients receive 6 short outpatient treatments over 3 weeks.
• Total radiation dose: 3 Gy
• Small doses to help reduce joint inflammation while minimizing side effects.
• Outpatient treatment in Wakefield
• Patients maintain normal daily activities
• A second treatment course may benefit some patients if symptoms recur

Best Evidence For

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Shoulder, elbow, hand, foot)
• Painful shoulder syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis
• Other Benign conditions

Patients often report reduced pain and improved quality of life.

Ideal Candidates

• Age 45 years or older
• Confirmed osteoarthritis diagnosis
• Not ready for, or not candidates for, joint replacement surgery
• Persistent pain despite:
  • Medications/analgesics
  • Physical therapy
  • Joint injections

Not Appropriate For

• Widespread chronic pain syndromes
• Pain related to joint replacements
• Severe end-stage ("bone-on-bone") disease
• Pregnant patients