Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Osteoarthritis at WVCI

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, low-dose radiation therapy (LD-RT) may be used as an alternative treatment after other methods are no longer effective. This treatment option can be used to reduce the inflammation and pain caused by osteoarthritis. Willamette Valley Cancer Institute offers low-dose radiation therapy to individuals in the Willamette Valley and the Central Oregon Coast at our Eugene location.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It’s caused by the breaking down of protective cartilage in the joints. This degeneration leads to pain, eventually resulting in bone-on-bone contact within the affected joints. While osteoarthritis can impact any joint, it is often found in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is a progressive condition with no cure.

Treatments Commonly Used for Osteoarthritis

The goal of treating osteoarthritis is not curative. Rather, the goal is to reduce pain and stiffness caused by joint inflammation and a lack of cartilage. As arthritis progresses, common treatments and at-home remedies become less effective, such as over-the-counter medications, prescription painkillers, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and steroid shots into the joint. As the condition worsens, osteoarthritis can result in joint replacement surgery. If you find that treatments are no longer working, and you’d like to avoid surgery, you may be a good candidate for low-dose radiation therapy for arthritis.

Low-Dose Radiation Therapy: A Re-emerging Therapy for Severe Osteoarthritis

Patients with advanced osteoarthritis often seek alternatives to pain medications, which can lead to fatigue, kidney or liver damage, and the potential for addiction. Radiation therapy for advanced osteoarthritis may be a viable option in these cases.

Low-dose radiation therapy is not a new treatment for osteoarthritis. This treatment developed decades ago. While it is still commonly used in Germany and other countries, its use in the United States declined after the 1980s, when more pharmaceutical options became available. However, due to its benefits, low-dose radiation therapy is reemerging, especially since it offers an alternative approach that does not rely on drug therapy to achieve results.

How Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Works in Relieving Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Low-dose radiation therapy is particularly effective at reducing inflammation, resulting in improved mobility and pain relief. Studies have shown several additional benefits, such as:

Appropriate for most joints.

Low-dose radiation therapy can relieve pain in nearly any affected joint, including the hands, fingers, knees, hips, ankles, or shoulders.

Minimal side effects.

Low dose of radiation reduces the potential side effects often associated with higher doses of radiation used for cancer treatment.

Suitability for older patients.

This therapy is a safe alternative for individuals with persistent osteoarthritis pain.

Painless treatment

The sessions are non-invasive and short, typically lasting only a few minutes each.

Long-lasting results.

Just a few sessions can result in relief lasting up to two years, with the option for periodic re-administration if pain recurs or worsens.

Cost-effective.

Many insurance plans approve and cover this treatment, making it a practical option for individuals seeking relief from osteoarthritis pain.

If you are over 60 years old with osteoarthritis and have not previously received radiation therapy treatment for cancer, this option may be ideal for you. Consult your doctor or request an appointment at one of our locations to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.

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Understanding the Osteoarthritis Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Procedure

Radiation therapy is administered to the joints using a linear accelerator, the same device used for cancer treatment. The radiation beams target the affected joints quickly and accurately while protecting the surrounding healthy tissue. The dose of radiation used for arthritis is much lower than that used for cancer. This means there are almost no side effects.

During the treatment, a radiation therapist will position you in exactly the same spot each time so that the radiation is directed at only the affected area. Multiple joints, such as those in the hands or ankles, can be treated in the same session.

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Typically, the therapy consists of six sessions over two to three weeks. After setting up, each active treatment session typically lasts less than 10 minutes. Sessions are scheduled approximately every other day or twice a week until the treatment is complete.

Osteoarthritis Radiation Treatments Available in the Willamette Valley

If you have moderate to severe osteoarthritis, talk to your physician, orthopedic doctor, rheumatologist, or pain specialist for a referral to our cancer center in Eugene, Oregon, to discuss whether this treatment is right for you.