Missouri Cancer Associates offers Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT)—a safe, non-invasive treatment option for patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis who are seeking meaningful relief without surgery or long-term medication use.
LDRT has been used internationally for decades and is gaining renewed attention in the U.S. for its ability to reduce inflammation and improve mobility in people with degenerative joint disease.
What is Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LD-RT) for Osteoarthritis?
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LD-RT) is a non-invasive, painless treatment option for managing osteoarthritis pain. It offers several key benefits and advantages:
Effective Pain Relief
Studies have shown that low-dose radiation therapy can provide significant pain improvement, with success rates of over 70% in patients with osteoarthritis. This therapy targets the underlying inflammation in affected joints, helping to provide meaningful and lasting relief.
Minimal Side Effects
Unlike some other treatment options, low-dose radiation therapy has no reported acute or long-term adverse effects. It is a safe, well-tolerated treatment and may be especially appropriate for older patients who have concerns about medication-related side effects.
Long-Lasting Results
Many patients report pain relief lasting an extended period of time following initial treatment. This sustained benefit may reduce the need for frequent pain medications or additional interventions.
Non-Invasive and Convenient
Low-dose radiation therapy is both non-surgical and non-pharmacological. Treatment sessions are brief and can be easily incorporated into a patient’s routine, making it a convenient option for ongoing pain management.
Who May Benefit From LDRT?
LDRT may be an excellent option for individuals with:
- Knee, hand, shoulder, ankle, or foot osteoarthritis
- Persistent joint pain not responding to medications, physical therapy, or injections
- Limitations that make joint surgery high-risk or undesirable
- Goals to delay surgery while improving daily comfort and mobility
Radiation oncologists typically avoid LDRT for autoimmune arthritides (e.g., rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis), but it is widely used for degenerative (osteoarthritic) joint pain.
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment is delivered using the latest model of one of the fastest radiation machines available today.
Treatments are brief, painless, and require no anesthesia, no injections, and no downtime. Patients are able to continue their normal daily activities throughout therapy.
Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan, with the dose and schedule tailored to their specific joint involvement and response to treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I Have?
Patients receive six treatments generally delivered twice a week over three weeks.
If symptoms recur or additional improvement is desired, retreatment may be considered after at least three months.
How Long Does Each Treatment Take?
Each treatment takes less than 10 minutes.
Multiple joints can be treated during the same treatment session when appropriate.
Are There Side Effects?
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LD-RT) is painless and very well tolerated. Long-term studies of patients have demonstrated a strong safety profile with minimal side effects.
Is LDRT Right for You?
Candidate Considerations for Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LD-RT)
Osteoarthritis can vary in severity, and not all patients are appropriate candidates for low-dose radiation therapy.
LD-RT is typically considered for patients who:
- Have moderate to severe osteoarthritis
- Have not experienced sufficient pain relief from:
- Systemic analgesics (oral pain medications), or
- Intra-articular glucocorticoids (steroid injections into the affected joint)
For these patients, LD-RT may be considered as an alternative treatment option.
It is important to note that LD-RT is not suitable for everyone with osteoarthritis. The decision to proceed with treatment should be made in consultation with a radiation oncologist. During evaluation, the physician will consider:
- The severity of the osteoarthritis
- The patient’s overall health
- Potential benefits and risks of LD-RT
- Individual treatment goals and preferences
If osteoarthritis pain is limiting your mobility and quality of life, LDRT may help you regain comfort and function. Missouri Cancer Associates is pleased to offer this innovative therapy and guide you through every step of the process.
Who LDRT May Not Be Appropriate For
LDRT can be a supportive treatment option for select patients, but it is not suitable for every clinical situation.
Patients with spine arthritis:
Current evidence for LDRT in spine arthritis is limited, and radiation therapy is not considered a standard treatment for most spine-related arthritic conditions. In most cases, other treatment approaches are preferred.
However, in select situations—particularly when a patient has been evaluated by their primary care provider or orthopedic specialist and other treatment options have been exhausted—LDRT may be discussed with a radiation oncologist on a limited, case-by-case basis. The potential risks, uncertainties, and expected benefits would be carefully reviewed before considering treatment.
Requirements Before an LDRT Appointment Can Be Scheduled
To ensure that LDRT is appropriate and medically safe, several items must be completed before your visit is confirmed. These steps help verify the diagnosis, review prior imaging, and determine whether LDRT is clinically indicated.
Diagnostic and Imaging Requirements
We recommend recent imaging to accurately assess the condition being treated and to help confirm that LDRT is an appropriate option.
- X-ray or advanced imaging (MRI or CT) — Imaging should clearly document the area of concern. If you have had imaging performed within the last 12–18 months, we can request those records on your behalf.
- Confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis or related degenerative joint disease — A formal diagnosis from a healthcare professional helps ensure that LDRT is being considered for the appropriate condition and that other causes of pain have been evaluated.
Insurance Approval and Treatment Process
Your radiation oncology physician will first evaluate and determine whether LDRT is an appropriate treatment option.
If the treatment is considered appropriate:
- Clinical documentation will be submitted to your insurance provider to determine coverage and cost estimates.
- Once authorization is complete, you will return to the clinic for a radiation oncology simulation and treatment consent.
- Treatment will typically begin approximately 1–2 weeks after simulation, depending on scheduling and final treatment planning.
Our team will keep you informed throughout this process and provide estimated out-of-pocket costs based on your insurance coverage.
Referral Options
You may enter our clinic through either of the following pathways:
Referral from your physician
Your primary care provider, orthopedic specialist, rheumatologist, or pain specialist can send us your imaging and diagnosis directly.
Self-referral
Patients may also contact us directly. Our team will help gather the recommended imaging and documentation needed to determine eligibility.
Request a Consultation
To learn whether Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) may be an appropriate treatment option for your osteoarthritis, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified radiation oncologists by calling 573-874-7800.