AHN’s Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Program Offers Lasting Relief from Osteoarthritis Pain

AHN radiation oncologists have honed techniques for using Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) to treat patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) — the most common form of arthritis affecting more than 32 million Americans. Less than 10% of radiation oncologists in the U.S. are using LDRT for OA treatment.*

With the prevalence of OA expected to increase as populations age, AHN’s comprehensive LDRT program is especially critical for western Pennsylvanians, as Allegheny County is home to the second oldest population in the country.

About LDRT

According to Chirag Shah, MD, Chair of Radiation Oncology at AHN Cancer Institute, LDRT has existed for decades, but “what’s old is new.”

“We used to use radiation treatment for benign diseases in the U.S. for many years, and it’s a common treatment in European countries,” said Dr. Shah. “A recent resurgence of the treatment has presented us with an opportunity to build a program at AHN where patients are treated in a very standardized fashion.”

How LDRT works

Radiation therapy uses a high-energy X-ray machine, generated by a linear accelerator, to perform targeted, localized treatment on an affected area of the body. LDRT for OA patients targets affected joints — most commonly the knees, hips, hands, feet, shoulders, and elbows.

Unlike supportive care OA treatments that are used to manage symptoms, LDRT targets the underlying inflammatory processes caused by arthritis, providing an opportunity for lasting relief. LDRT is also non-invasive compared to interventions like joint injections, which may provide short-term relief but can have higher risks for side effects.

“Our team is focused on improving a patient’s quality of life with durable pain improvement,” said Dr. Shah. “Our approach to LDRT involves closely monitoring patients and how they respond to treatment over time to ensure the best outcomes for long-term comfort and relief from arthritis pain in daily life.”

Is LDRT right for your patient?

LDRT may be an effective treatment for patients that have suffered from OA (not Rheumatoid Arthritis) symptoms for several months and are unable to get a joint replacement or undergo major surgery. AHN radiation oncologists thoroughly assess a patient’s symptoms to determine whether they are a good candidate for LDRT, and what treatment method will provide the best results.

Side effects and risks

LDRT has minimal side effects. Very few patients have experienced skin redness or irritation on areas of the body treated with LDRT.

There are low risks of secondary malignancy associated with LDRT that can be assessed based on factors like age, sex, and the part of the body being treated. The 2018 DEGRO guidelines recommend that LDRT be used primarily for patients older than 40 to minimize secondary malignancy risk.**

Research-backed treatment outcomes

Between 50–65% of OA patients respond well to LDRT, and several clinical studies have been conducted on the impact of LDRT for relieving OA symptoms.*

Recent data shows that:

• LDRT provided symptomatic relief in 63–90% of irradiated patients with almost no acute side effects.***
• In a recent study of 100 patients treated for hand OA, 94% of patients experienced significant pain improvement six months following LDRT.****
• In an analysis of 970 elderly patients with OA of both large and small joints, all patients experienced an immediate decrease in pain intensity after LDRT.*
• A randomized study of patients over the age of 65 with knee OA showed significant pain improvement and enhanced joint function with no adverse effects.*****

How to refer

AHN experts are focused on enhancing and standardizing OA patient care through leading-edge radiation therapy techniques. To learn more about our Radiation Oncology Program or refer your patients to AHN for LDRT, call (412) DOCTORS.

*Source: The Use of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy in Osteoarthritis: A Review. Redjournal.org.

**Source: Updated strategies in the treatment of benign diseases—a patterns of care study of the german cooperative group on benign diseases. ScienceDirect.com.

***Source: The Use of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy in Osteoarthritis: A Review. ScienceDirect.com.

****Source: Low-dose radiation therapy for hand osteoarthritis: shaking hands again? NIH.gov

*****Source: Effects of low dose rate radiotherapy on pain relief, performance score, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis; a double-blind sham-controlled randomized clinical trial.NIH.gov