A new study indicates that low-dose radiation therapy may serve as an effective treatment alternative for knee osteoarthritis, bridging the gap between pain medications and joint replacement surgery.
A recent study suggests that low-dose radiation therapy could provide a new treatment option for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, potentially filling a critical gap between pain medications and joint replacement surgery. This research, conducted by a team in Korea, was presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in September.
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knees, which tends to worsen over time. The study indicates that a single course of low-dose radiation could be a “safe and effective” treatment for alleviating the painful symptoms associated with this condition.
The randomized clinical trial involved 114 patients diagnosed with moderate-to-mild knee osteoarthritis. Participants were assigned to receive either a very low dose of radiation, a low dose, or a placebo. Throughout the study, the only additional pain relief allowed was acetaminophen.
Participants underwent six treatment sessions, during which researchers evaluated “meaningful improvement” based on at least two of the following criteria: pain levels, physical function, and overall assessment of their condition. Additionally, patients completed questionnaires to report their pain, stiffness, and functional abilities. Notably, none of the participants reported any treatment-related side effects.
After four months of treatment, 70% of those in the low-dose radiation group met the criteria for meaningful improvement, compared to just 42% in the placebo group. Participants receiving the very low dose of radiation experienced a 58.3% improvement in their symptoms.
Experts noted that these findings suggest the low-dose radiation regimen “drove relief beyond placebo effects.” In the low-dose group, 56.8% of participants reported significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and physical function scores, while only 30.6% of those in the placebo group experienced similar benefits.
The study concluded that low-dose radiation led to significant reductions in pain and improvements in function after four months, utilizing a “small fraction” of the radiation typically used in cancer treatments.
Dr. Byoung Hyuck Kim, the principal investigator of the trial and an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Seoul National University College of Medicine, Boramae Medical Center, emphasized the challenging decisions faced by individuals with painful knee osteoarthritis. They often must weigh the risks of side effects from pain medications against the potential complications of joint replacement surgery.
“There’s a clinical need for moderate interventions between weak pain medications and aggressive surgery,” Dr. Kim stated. “We believe radiation may be a suitable option for these patients, particularly when drugs and injections are poorly tolerated.”
He further explained that radiation therapy might be particularly beneficial for patients who have underlying inflammation and preserved joint structure. However, he cautioned that for those with severe osteoarthritis, where the joint is significantly damaged and cartilage is absent, radiation would not regenerate tissue. “For individuals with mild to moderate disease, this approach could delay the need for joint replacement,” he added.
Dr. Kim also suggested that this treatment should be considered in conjunction with other lifestyle factors, such as weight loss, physiotherapy, and medications, as the effects could be “even stronger when radiation is properly combined with other treatments.” He noted that patient satisfaction may also be higher compared to current treatment options alone.
While the study presents promising results, the researchers acknowledged some limitations, including a relatively short follow-up period. Plans for larger trials are underway to further evaluate outcomes in specific patient populations, comparing low-dose radiation with various medication regimens.
Source: Original article