Reports from the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology have revealed a potential new treatment option for arthritis pain in the knee: low-dose radiotherapy. While initial results were promising for patients with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, concerning side effects were reported in a small number of study participants. As such, patients may prefer to explore other minimally-invasive treatment options.

Radiotherapy for Arthritis Pain in Knee

The findings on the safety and efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis were based on three different studies from Korea, the US and Germany. In the Korean study, researchers followed 114 participants with arthritis pain in the knee. About 70% of those who received a low 3 Gy dose of radiation, spread out over six sessions, reported significant improvements in function and reductions in pain at the four-month mark, compared to just 42% in a control group.  

In an American study involving 103 patients, 84% of those who received low-dose radiotherapy for hand or knee osteoarthritis experienced significant pain reduction. And a German study that followed more than 4,600 older patients who received radiotherapy for arthritis between 1994 and 2010 noted that there were only three cases where cancer-diagnoses could potentially be related to the earlier radiation exposure. More concerningly, however, 1.4% of those patients went on to develop blood cancers, suggesting providers may want to exercise caution when providing this emerging treatment option.

Lower-Risk Alternatives

Many patients with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis are in need of knee pain relief. But they want to find it without being subjected to an invasive surgery and extended recovery period. For that reason, it’s always exciting when researchers discover less-invasive options, such as low-dose radiotherapy. However, with this treatment protocol still under development, and with potentially concerning side-effects, patients may prefer to undergo procedures with fewer long-term risks.

At the Georgia Knee Institute, we provide patients with just such an option: Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE). This research-backed, minimally-invasive procedure is an FDA-approved treatment for arthritis pain in the knee. Afterward, patients can avoid overnight hospital stays, enjoying a much faster and less painful recovery period. You can explore your candidacy for GAE by contacting our team to request a consultation at one of our three locations in the Greater Atlanta region.