Radiation therapy, traditionally used for cancer treatment, is now being applied at lower doses to address non-cancerous inflammatory and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. Dr. Leland Rogers, a radiation therapy physician at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley in Utah, has begun offering Low Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) to more patients after studying research from Germany and England and completing specialized training with experts abroad.
“LDRT has been widely used in Europe for many years, and the results for patients have been impressive,” Dr. Rogers said. “The United States has been slower to adopt this treatment option, but many of my colleagues and I have reviewed the results and seen that it is both safe and highly effective. We want to make this option available for patients here.”
Data from clinical use shows that about 75 percent of patients treated with LDRT experience significant pain reduction and improved quality of life. Some patients have reduced their medication usage or delayed surgery following the therapy.
Dr. Rogers noted that steroid injections are a common treatment for osteoarthritis but can speed up joint degeneration over time, increasing the likelihood of surgical intervention. In contrast, LDRT does not accelerate degeneration and helps most patients by reducing pain and improving function.
The procedure involves six sessions lasting about 10 minutes each over three weeks using a linear accelerator machine at the hospital. The radiation dose is much lower than what is used for cancer treatments, resulting in rare side effects.
LDRT works by decreasing inflammation in joints, modulating immune responses to reduce tissue attacks, and lowering pain signals in targeted areas. This leads to better function and less discomfort for many recipients.
Currently, LDRT is most often used on shoulders, knees, hips, feet, and ankles; it is not generally offered for lower back pain at this time.
Patients interested in learning whether they qualify for LDRT can contact CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley at 801-601-2260 for a consultation.
