Radiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis

Radiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis involves low-dose radiation targeting the knee joint, which reduces pain and inflammation and improve function and mobility. This treatment can offer symptomatic relief when other conservative measures fail. Here to explain more is distinguished specialist and clinical oncologist Dr Richard Shaffer, who discusses how radiotherapy can alleviate pain caused by knee osteoarthritis.

How is radiotherapy used to address symptoms of knee osteoarthritis?

Radiotherapy for osteoarthritis works to reduce inflammation in a variety of ways. It helps prevent immune cells (white blood cells) from sticking excessively, changes the communication between cells (cytokines) to be more calming, increases the natural fading away of some immune cells, and transforms others into helpful cells (macrophages) that ease inflammation.

Additionally, radiotherapy can help by making the bit of bone closest to the joint stronger and prevents it from breaking down. It is like giving your bones a special treatment to keep them healthy and less likely to be damaged.

What are the typical outcomes and success rates of radiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis?

Overall, about 80% of patients have a good response or got better after using low-dose radiotherapy on their knee for osteoarthritis. This result comes from 23 studies about treating knee osteoarthritis, where doctors looked at more than 5000 patients and found that using low-dose radiotherapy was helpful.

Can radiotherapy be combined with other non-surgical treatments for better results?

There are no restrictions on using other non-surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis when you have radiotherapy. In fact, we encourage you to continue with them, as they can be very helpful in combination with radiotherapy.

In particular, we recommend exercise, losing weight, using aids such as braces and sticks and continuing to use any pain relief that your doctor has recommended.

Are there any restrictions or considerations for individuals seeking radiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis?

Those considering radiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis must have undergone at least an X-ray (and possibly other scans such as an MRI) to confirm the presence of osteoarthritis. If persistent pain or limitations in activity are present, radiotherapy may be a viable option.

Radiotherapy can potentially delay the need for knee surgery in some cases. Nevertheless, the radiotherapy doctor will carefully examine the scans to see if the radiotherapy is likely to be successful, as some people have such advanced disease that they need to consider surgery rather than radiotherapy treatment.

What is the expected recovery time and long-term impact of radiotherapy on knee osteoarthritis symptoms?

A minimal dose of radiotherapy is used to treat knee osteoarthritis, resulting in minimal or no side effects due to its low intensity. Because of this there is no recovery time from the treatment.

The pain-reducing effects of radiotherapy typically become noticeable after around three months and the effect can be long-lasting.

If you would like to book a consultation with Dr Shaffer, simply visit his Top Doctors profile today.