A new study suggests that a single session of low-dose radiation therapy could significantly reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, potentially delaying or avoiding the need for surgery.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 33 million adults in the United States. It causes joint pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility — and remains a leading cause of disability among older adults. Current treatments include physical therapy, pain medications, corticosteroid injections, and joint replacement surgery, yet many patients either do not respond or eventually lose responsiveness to non-surgical options.
Researchers from Seoul National University College of Medicine, led by Dr. Byoung Hyuck Kim, conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial in South Korea involving 114 patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a sham treatment or a single course of low-dose radiation therapy at two different doses (0.3 Gray or 3 Gray).
After four months, those who received the higher 3 Gray dose reported significantly greater improvements in pain, stiffness, and joint function compared to the control group. About 70% of participants in the high-dose group responded positively to treatment, versus 41% in the control group. Importantly, no radiation-related side effects were observed.
Dr. Kim explained that this approach could serve as a “moderate intervention” between medication and surgery, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate long-term use of painkillers or are hesitant to undergo invasive procedures. “For people with mild to moderate disease, this approach could delay the need for joint replacement,” he said.
Low-dose radiation therapy works by reducing joint inflammation, offering an anti-inflammatory effect that may alleviate pain. While the treatment is already in use for osteoarthritis management in parts of Europe, its clinical application in the U.S. has been limited since the 1980s.
Experts emphasize, however, that more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and safety. The study’s results were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) conference in San Francisco and have yet to undergo peer review.
If validated, the findings could mark a major step forward in noninvasive osteoarthritis treatment, offering patients a safer, surgery-sparing alternative for pain management.
Original Source: Medical News Today – “Could just 1 course of radiotherapy help treat osteoarthritis pain?”