Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder where the cartilage in the joint gradually breaks down. Cartilage is the cushion in your joints that makes them easy to move. As it degenerates, you feel symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased flexibility. These symptoms get worse over time, and in more advanced stages, osteoarthritis can significantly affect your daily life.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, quite a few treatment options are available to help manage the symptoms. The goal is to find relief without joint replacement surgery. Some of these treatments become less effective as the arthritis becomes more advanced. Which treatments are available and what can you do as osteoarthritis progresses?
When you first notice osteoarthritis developing, your doctor may recommend conservative treatment options for your osteoarthritis. Conservative arthritis treatments mean they are non-invasive.
If conservative methods fail to relieve your osteoarthritis pain, your doctor may suggest exploring more advanced treatment options, including:
If conservative treatments and other non-surgical options prove ineffective, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon to discuss the possibility of joint replacement surgery, such as total knee or hip replacement. Many patients experience significant pain relief and improved function after their damaged joint is replaced with a prosthesis.
The primary goal of treating osteoarthritis is to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints while improving flexibility. Although radiation therapy is often associated with cancer treatment, it can also be an effective option for managing this chronic condition.
In low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis, radiation beams are directed at the joint using a device called a linear accelerator. This precise delivery method protects the surrounding healthy tissue. There are very few side effects because the dose of radiation is low and only a few treatments are needed.
Low-dose radiation therapy has been shown to reduce joint inflammation in patients, resulting in reduced pain. Ongoing research suggests that LD-RT regulates inflammatory pathways which means the pain relief is long-lasting compared to traditional osteoarthritis treatment methods. Some patients report arthritis pain relief that lasts up to two years.
Some key benefits of low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis include:
While conservative approaches can be useful for managing osteoarthritis, there are some notable disadvantages to consider.
Medications, as discussed, can cause unwanted side effects to the stomach, liver, and kidneys. Cortisone injections, which are commonly used to alleviate osteoarthritis pain, can weaken ligaments, tendons, and healthy cartilage with long-term use. Plus these injections usually only provide relief for a few months.
Surgery is often reserved for advanced cases of osteoarthritis, but it is invasive and typically requires a lengthy rehabilitation period. People with pre-existing health conditions or other risk factors may also have additional struggles recovering from the surgery.
In contrast, low-dose radiation therapy does not have these drawbacks, providing patients with promising, long-lasting results and minimal to no downtime or side effects.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis and have not found relief through other treatment methods, low-dose radiation therapy may be a suitable option. Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia offers advanced low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis patients in the Atlanta area. We use the latest radiation therapy technologies and have clinics in Blairsville, Conyers, Covington, Decatur, and Snellville, Georgia.
Take time to speak with your primary care physician, rheumatologist, orthopedic doctor, or pain specialist about your situation and to get a referral to one of our clinics. We will evaluate your condition to determine if radiation therapy is an appropriate option for you. Request an appointment at the location nearest you for an initial consultation.