Radiation oncologists at UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham Bruno Cancer Center and UAB St. Vincent’s East Cancer Treatment Center are offering low-dose radiation as a treatment for patients with osteoarthritis. OA is the most common form of arthritis in adults and occurs when the cartilage protecting the joints breaks down over time, causing chronic pain and loss of mobility.
Low-dose radiation therapy involves no medication and no invasive procedures. This treatment has been used successfully for decades and can improve patient mobility and quality of life with minimal side effects.
“Numerous recent studies have shown that low-dose radiation therapy for joints affected by osteoarthritis can lead to moderate to long-term pain relief and improvement of mobility after treatment,” said Susan Salter, M.D., radiation oncologist UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham. “Low-dose radiation therapy has been shown to be a cost-effective, non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects for patients with OA.”
During the treatment, an X-ray is used to deliver doses of radiation to the entire affected joint to help inhibit the inflammation that often causes pain in patients. One course comprises six 10-minute treatments delivered in the span of two weeks. While radiation is used for treating cancer, there is a misconception that it is always delivered in high doses. Physicians at UAB St. Vincent’s remind patients that radiation is delivered in extremely low doses when treating OA, a small fraction of what is used when treating cancer. Ultra-low doses allow strong anti-inflammatory effects to be achieved. Each radiation treatment is specifically tailored to the patient and the joint being treated. Patients who are ideal candidates for this treatment include those who suffer from chronic osteoarthritis that has not responded to standard first-line treatments like exercise, weight loss, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections. The treatment is a good option for those who have limited surgical options or are hoping to avoid surgery. For those who have not explored surgical options but may be interested in them, Laura Dover, M.D., a radiation oncologist at UAB St. Vincent’s East, recommends talking to an orthopedic surgeon since surgery will achieve a structural change that can remove the cause of inflammation in a way low-dose radiotherapy will not.
“There is robust evidence for the use of low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis of both larger joints, such as shoulders and knees, as well as smaller joints such as in the hand,” Dover said. “Radiotherapy has incredible healing powers, especially with the aid of modern technology, and can cure and alleviate numerous conditions without any systemic drugs or invasive procedures. I recommend talking to your health care provider about your concerns. We are here to help.”
For more information, please call the UAB St. Vincent’s Bruno Cancer Center at 205-939-7884 or the UAB St. Vincent’s East Cancer Treatment Center at 205-838-3660.