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Treatment with low-dose radiotherapy resulted in significant pain reduction in patients with severe osteoarthritis, however, long term effects were limited.
As per a recent literature review published in the 'European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology, Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) depicted a clinically relevant pain relief at six weeks following radiotherapy.
In Eastern European countries and Germany, LDRT treatment for pain reduction in osteoarthritis (OA) is frequently used. However, the evidence on the effects of LDRT on pain in OA patients remains debatable. Koc BB et al. aimed to investigate the impact of LDRT on severe OA patients of the hip or knee joint. This prospective cohort study had a total of 16 joints in 12 patients (4 hips and 12 knees) with a median age of 74 years (range 58 to 89).
The patients older than 50 years, severe OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade III-IV) of hip or knee joint, patients not reciprocating to conservative treatment and patients who are not willing to undergo surgery were considered under the inclusion criteria. The joint was irradiated with an overall dose of 6.0 Gray. At pre-, 6, 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks post-radiation, the patient-reported outcome measures and Numeric Rating Scale for pain (NRS-pain) were noted.
Clinically relevant NRS-pain had a decrease of two points. A clinically relevant difference in pain at six weeks post-radiation in 50% joints (n = 8, 3 hip and five knee joints) was noticed. The study authors concluded that the long-term effect of LDRT is limited. They further explained, "A randomized placebo-controlled trial is crucial to evaluate the effect of LDRT on pain in OA patients of the hip or knee joint."
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology
Short-term pain reduction after low-dose radiotherapy in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint: a cohort study and literature review
Koc BB et al.
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