Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It is caused by the degeneration of protective cartilage in the joints. This degeneration leads to pain and, eventually, bone-on-bone rubbing inside the affected joints.
About 1 in 7 Americans are affected by osteoarthritis, which is expected to rise as the population ages. Arthritis tends to affect older people – especially older women. It’s also more common in people who are overweight or who have a family history of osteoarthritis or previous joint damage.
Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it’s often found in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Unfortunately, it’s a progressive condition with no cure. As time goes by, some of the more common treatments and at-home remedies may no longer work. If you’re in this situation, you might be a good candidate for low-dose radiation therapy for arthritis.
Because the cartilage in the joint can’t regenerate, the primary goal of treating osteoarthritis is to reduce pain and stiffness caused by joint inflammation. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and a healthy lifestyle focused on physical activity and weight management.
As time goes by, arthritis may require medical treatments, including cortisone injections, prescription medications, or joint replacement surgery. Patients with advanced osteoarthritis often look for options other than pain medications, which can make them tired, cause kidney or liver damage, and cause addiction in some. Additionally, most patients try to avoid joint replacement surgery, if possible. That’s when radiation therapy for arthritis may be a good option.
Though not a new treatment, low-dose radiation therapy has not been commonly used in the United States since the 1980s when more pharmaceutical options became available. However, it is making a comeback due to its benefits. The most important benefit is that you can lower pain without using medications.
Low-dose radiation therapy is particularly effective at reducing inflammation, leading to improved mobility and pain relief.
Osteoarthritis patients receive low-dose radiation therapy from a linear accelerator, the same device employed in cancer radiation treatment. It targets the affected joints quickly and precisely while safeguarding the surrounding normal tissue.
During treatment, you will be positioned on a treatment table, and the radiation therapist will administer the radiation to the affected area with precision and efficiency. Several joints, such as those in the hand or ankle, can be treated in the same session.
The therapy typically involves six sessions over two to three weeks, each lasting less than 10 minutes. Sessions may be repeated every other day or twice a week until sessions are complete.
If you suffer from severe osteoarthritis, low-dose radiation therapy may be a good option. Compass Oncology provides advanced arthritis patients throughout the Portland and Vancouver metro area with low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis.
Talk to your physician, orthopedic doctor, rheumatologist, and/or pain specialist for a referral to one of our clinics to see if radiation would be a good option for your osteoarthritis. You can also request an appointment at a conveniently located cancer center to discuss whether this treatment is right for you.