Low Dose Radiotherapy for Osteoarthritis

Living with arthritis can be challenging. Persistent pain, stiffness, and swelling can significantly impact daily life. Treatment options range from medications to physical therapy. At Northwest Cancer Clinic, we offer another option: low-dose radiotherapy. Radiation therapy for arthritis, including low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis, has been shown to help reduce inflammation, ease pain and improve day-to-day function.

Low-dose radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses a small amount of directed radiation to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in affected joints. Unlike the high doses of radiation used in cancer treatments, radiation therapy for arthritis utilizes low doses, so it is much safer and has little to no negative side effects.

For many individuals, traditional treatments for arthritis such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications may not provide sufficient relief or may cause unwanted side effects. Physical therapy, another commonly prescribed treatment for arthritis, can of course be beneficial for improving arthritis symptoms, but for some patients, it’s not enough. Low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis or arthritis is a non-invasive option that can help patients manage arthritis symptoms more effectively.

Studies have shown that low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis and arthritis is both safe and effective. Radiation treatments for diseases like cancer are given at much higher doses which can result in negative side effects. Low-dose radiotherapy treatment, as the name suggests, involves much lower doses of radiation. Some patients may experience skin redness around the area where the radiation was directed or a little bit of fatigue, but these symptoms are short-lived and not common.

Low doses of radiation treatment have been proven to reduce inflammation, which is key to finding relief from arthritis. It does this by lowering your body’s production of naturally occurring chemicals that cause inflammation and stopping inflammatory cells from rushing to the area of your body that’s in pain. Low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis can also make pain receptors in the body less sensitive, so patients overall feel less pain from arthritis.

In some cases, low-dose radiation treatment can promote healing by stimulating the repair process in damaged tissues in and around affected joints. By reducing inflammation and encouraging the natural healing processes in the body, patients can experience both pain reduction and improved joint mobility.

The most significant benefit of low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis is the potential for long-lasting relief. Studies have shown that up to 85% of patients who receive low-dose radiation treatments for arthritis experience significant pain relief, leading to a better quality of life. In some studies, relief from pain has been shown to last for up to a year after receiving treatment.

While low-dose radiotherapy treatment is not a cure for arthritis, it has proven to be an effective method for managing symptoms and providing pain relief so patients can better enjoy their daily activities. At Northwest Cancer Clinic, we are committed to helping improve the lives of our patients, which is why we offer top-notch personalized care for osteoarthritis and arthritis.