For people living with chronic knee or shoulder pain from osteoarthritis, Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) now offers a treatment that doesn’t involve surgery, injections or daily medication: low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT).

The use of LDRT for arthritis dates back over 100 years. While it remained a common treatment in Europe, its use in the United States stalled in the 1980s as pharmaceuticals became more prominent.¹ Recent clinical trials have fueled a resurgence in thinking about its role in managing osteoarthritis, particularly in the early stages of disease.

Radiation is best known as a cancer-fighting tool, where high doses are used to destroy cancer cells. But at a much smaller dose, approximately 5% of that used to treat cancer, it can also work as a safe, non-surgical option for joint pain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 32.5 million adults in the U.S. live with the condition,² which gradually wears down the joints and typically brings pain, stiffness and swelling to the knees, hands, hips and back. There’s currently no cure, but a recent placebo-controlled clinical trial showed that a single round of low-dose radiation could meaningfully ease symptoms for many patients.³

LDRT can be used for osteoarthritis of the knees, hips, hands, shoulders, ankles and elbows. Right now, the CCC offers this treatment for knees and shoulders, with hand treatments available soon.

“This is for patients with mild to moderate pain from osteoarthritis,” says Amir Lavaf, MD, medical director for the clinical oncology research program at Desert Regional Medical Center. “Low-dose radiation can stop the inflammatory process that drives the disease, the same process that breaks down cartilage in the joint, which can lead to real reductions in pain.”

Despite using the same equipment as cancer treatment, the radiation dose involved is far smaller. Patients receive just 50 cGy (a unit of radiation dose) every other day in a 15-minute session for a total of 6 treatments over two weeks. That works out to a total dose of 300 cGy, compared with the 3,000 to 6,000 cGy a typical cancer patient might receive over a full course of treatment. If pain returns in the future, the treatment can be safely repeated with no reported damage to the targeted region.

Who is this treatment for?

According to Dr. Lavaf, LDRT works best for patients who are 60 or older, who have exhausted other options, like medication, physical therapy and joint injections, and who aren’t currently candidates for surgery.

The CCC reports that patients undergoing this treatment have reported significant improvement, with pain levels commonly dropping from 7 down to 4 on a 10-point scale.

“This therapy is meant to work as an anti-inflammatory, not a cure,” Lavaf notes.

What is the cost?

Good news: this treatment is covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. The CCC handles securing prior authorization before treatment begins, so patients don’t have to navigate that process alone. It’s also worth noting that undergoing this therapy doesn’t rule out joint replacement later if a patient ultimately qualifies and opts for surgery.

Those suffering from shoulder and or knee osteoarthritis and curious about whether LDRT could help are encouraged to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, the CCC care team will review treatment history and any existing imaging or X-rays, so patients are encouraged to bring them to the initial appointment.

Lauren Del Sarto is the founder/publisher of Desert Health. To learn more, visit
www.desertcarenetwork.com/services/oncology.

References: 1) https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/low-dose-radiation-therapy-reemerging-for-osteoarthritis; 2) https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/osteoarthritis/index.html; 3) https://www.astro.org/news-and-publications/news-and-media-center/news-releases/2025/low-dose-radiation-therapy-offers-substantial-relief-to-people-with-painful-knee-osteoarthritis