If you are one of the 32 million Americans living with osteoarthritis (OA), you know how relentless joint pain can be. Whether it affects your knees, hips, hands or spine, OA can make everyday tasks—like walking, climbing stairs, gardening or even holding a coffee cup—feel challenging.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage in your joints wears down over time, leading to:
- Pain during or after movement
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Swelling and tenderness
- Grating or cracking sounds in the joints
- Reduced flexibility and range of motion
- Bone spurs or hard lumps near the joints
OA often affects weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, but it can also impact other joints, including the hands, shoulders, spine, feet and ankles. Over time, it can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility and even depression or sleep issues due to discomfort.
Tired of the usual osteoarthritis treatments?
If you’ve sought relief, you might have tried:
- Over-the-counter pain medications, like acetaminophen or NSAIDs
- Topical creams or gels
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Steroid or hyaluronic acid injections
- Assistive devices, like braces or walkers
But what if these common options haven’t provided enough relief, or you’re not ready to take the big step toward surgery? For many people, that leaves an important question unanswered: What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis? Patients who find themselves stuck between temporary relief and invasive surgery are now seeking safer, longer-lasting solutions.
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) at NGPG Radiation Oncology
LDRT is a safe, non-invasive treatment that uses small doses of targeted radiation to reduce inflammation in the joints. It has been successfully used in Europe for decades and is available at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Radiation Oncology.
How does it work?
LDRT targets the inflammatory cells in the joint, helping to:
- Reduce pain and stiffness
- Improve mobility and function
- Modulate the immune response without damaging healthy tissue
Who is it for?
LDRT is ideal for people who:
- Have Osteoarthritis of the shoulder, hand, hip, or knee
- Have not found relief with medications, therapy or injections
- Want to avoid or delay surgery
- Are over 40 and looking for a low-risk osteoarthritis treatment option
- Have other health conditions that make surgery risky
What to expect
- Six short sessions over 2–3 weeks
- Each session lasts 10–30 minutes
- No pain and no downtime
- Minimal side effects (some mild skin irritation in rare cases)
- Long-lasting relief—many patients feel better for months or even years
Real-life results
Patients treated with osteoarthritis radiation therapy have reported:
- Returning to hobbies like gardening and golfing
- Climbing stairs without pain
- Holding their grandchildren again
- Reducing or eliminating pain medications
How do you get referred for LDRT?
Patients are typically referred to NGPG Radiation Oncology for low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) by specialists who manage osteoarthritis, including:
- Primary care providers
- Rheumatologists
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Pain management specialists
- Physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation)
These providers may recommend LDRT when other treatments—like medications, injections, or physical therapy—haven’t provided enough relief, and surgery isn’t the preferred next step.
Already diagnosed with osteoarthritis?
You don’t need to wait for a referral. Patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of OA and are interested in exploring LDRT can self-refer by contacting NGPG Radiation Oncology directly. Our team will review your history and help determine if LDRT is a good fit for your needs.
Next steps
The NGPG Radiation Oncology expert team is proud to offer low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) as a non-invasive and effective treatment for chronic osteoarthritis pain at all three of our locations: Braselton, Gainesville, and Toccoa.
Contact us today on 770-219-1824 to learn more about LDRT and find out if this innovative treatment is right for you.