Mitchell Cancer Institute offering radiotherapy as a treatment for osteoarthritis

By Jessica Jones
[email protected]

USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) continues to advance access to innovative, evidence-informed therapies by offering low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis, an emerging, noninvasive option for chronic joint pain.

MCI is offering the therapy to patients who are seeking alternatives to surgery or who have not achieved adequate relief through conservative treatments. The treatments are available at MCI locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties and are generally covered by Medicare and most private insurers.

Low-dose radiotherapy uses very small, carefully targeted doses of radiation to reduce inflammation in affected joints, helping to relieve pain and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis. While not recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, it is intended for patients with persistent, function-limiting joint pain. This approach provides an additional option for carefully selected patients who are struggling with chronic symptoms and are looking for nonsurgical alternatives.

“Many patients with osteoarthritis have limited options once standard treatments stop providing relief,” said Joseph Jones, M.D., radiation oncologist at MCI Fairhope. “Low-dose radiotherapy gives us another option that is simple, noninvasive, and aimed at helping reduce pain so patients can stay more active in their daily lives.”

Low-dose radiotherapy may be appropriate for patients with osteoarthritis who continue to experience pain despite physical therapy, medications, or injections, as well as for those who are not ideal candidates for surgery or who prefer to delay or avoid surgical intervention.

Treatment is delivered in an outpatient setting over the course of six sessions spanning three weeks. Each visit typically lasts about 15 minutes. The treatment is painless and noninvasive, and patients can resume normal activities immediately.

Clinical data suggests that approximately 70% of patients report improvement in symptoms, with an average reduction of about three points on a standard 1-to–10 pain scale. Response can vary depending on the affected joint and severity of disease, and in appropriate cases, treatment may be repeated.

Low-dose radiotherapy can be used to treat several joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis, including the hands, knees, shoulders, and hips. While data for spine-related applications is limited, early studies suggest that patients can achieve meaningful improvements in pain and function.

“This treatment represents an important expansion of how we think about radiation therapy as functional medicine,” said Adam Huddleston, M.D., radiation oncologist at MCI Mobile. “While traditionally associated with cancer treatment, low-dose radiotherapy can play a meaningful role in reducing inflammation and improving quality of life for patients with osteoarthritis.”

For more information or to refer a patient, call 251-410-1010 (in Mobile) or 251-445-8421 (in Fairhope).