Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) Research and Evidence
Selected studies, articles, and news coverage on low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis
What the Research Shows
Research on LDRT for osteoarthritis is mixed. Some older sham-controlled trials did not show a clear advantage over sham treatment, while a more recent randomized trial in mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis found improved pain and function at four months. Observational studies often report favorable results, but they are more vulnerable to placebo effects and differences in patient selection. Longer-term and joint-specific randomized evidence is still needed.
Randomized Trial Results at a Glance
These are the main randomized trials of LDRT for osteoarthritis. Three compared LDRT with a sham (fake) treatment, which is the strongest way to separate a real effect from a placebo effect. One compared two doses.
Korea: Benefit Over Sham at Four Months
114 people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis received 3 Gy, 0.3 Gy, or sham treatment. At four months, 70.3% of the 3 Gy group met the response criteria, compared with 41.7% of the sham group. The 0.3 Gy dose was no better than sham. No treatment-related side effects were reported. Results so far are short-term.
Abstract →Netherlands: No Difference From Sham
55 people with knee osteoarthritis received six treatments of 1 Gy (6 Gy in total) or sham treatment. The trial found no difference in pain or function between the groups, and no difference in signs of inflammation on imaging or blood tests.
PubMed →Netherlands: No Difference From Sham
56 people with hand osteoarthritis received 6 Gy or sham treatment. At three months, 29% of the LDRT group and 36% of the sham group met the response criteria. A later report on both Dutch trials found no long-term benefit either.
PubMed →Germany (ArthroRad): Two Doses, Similar Results
229 people with hand or knee osteoarthritis received the standard 3 Gy course or a very low 0.3 Gy course. Pain improved in both groups, with no significant difference between them after 12 months. There was no sham group, so the trial cannot show how much of the improvement was a placebo effect.
PubMed →Why the results differ is still debated. The Dutch trials used a higher total dose (6 Gy) and small numbers of patients. The Korean trial used the 3 Gy course most programs use today. For what these numbers mean for an individual patient, see LDRT Success Rates.
Other knee arthritis research in the news: in September 2026, a large trial of retatrutide, an experimental weight-loss drug from Eli Lilly, also reported less knee pain. It is not an LDRT study and the drug is not approved. See Weight-Loss Drug Eased Knee Arthritis Pain in Trial.
The sections below separate peer-reviewed publications, conference research, and media coverage so readers can judge each source in context.
Conference Research
LDRT Shows Pain Relief for Knee Osteoarthritis
The American Society for Radiation Oncology released findings from a placebo-controlled clinical trial showing pain relief in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The trial included a sham-treatment control and reported short-term outcomes at four months.
Read the ASTRO 2025 release →Peer-Reviewed Studies and Reviews
American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria for LDRT in Osteoarthritis
The first U.S. multidisciplinary consensus guideline on LDRT for osteoarthritis, developed by radiation oncologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and a patient advocate. Concludes LDRT is appropriate for selected patients, with response rates of 60%-90% across the reviewed evidence.
Read our summary → View the publication →LDRT in Managing Osteoarthritis: Review Article
A peer-reviewed review of LDRT in osteoarthritis, including anti-inflammatory mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and safety considerations across published studies.
View the publication →LDRT for Osteoarthritis: Current Evidence, Practical Recommendations and Future Perspectives
A 2025 clinical review covering current evidence, treatment protocols, safety data, and practical guidance for using LDRT in osteoarthritis care, including recommendations for US adoption.
View the publication →The Use of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy in Osteoarthritis: A Review
A peer-reviewed review in the Red Journal examining the mechanism, evidence base, and clinical use of LDRT for osteoarthritis. The article reviews proposed mechanisms, published outcomes, and practical considerations.
View the publication →LDRT Outcomes: 69 Patients and 168 Joints Treated
A real-world outcomes paper from FHN's Leonard Ferguson Cancer Center in Freeport, IL, documenting results from their LDRT program.
View the publication →Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
A clinical topic review by radiation oncologists across multiple health systems covering patient selection, dosing, immobilization technique, and retreatment considerations for LDRT.
View the publication →Patient Stories and Media Coverage
Radiation for Joint Pain? Study Validates Low-Dose Approach for Knee OA
European coverage of the 2025 ASTRO-presented randomized trial results, with international context for the growing evidence base on LDRT for arthritis pain.
Read the full article →Low-Dose Radiation for Pain Relief Changes Patient's Life
A patient with severe osteoarthritis pain described meaningful relief after LDRT, a treatment she had not heard of until recently.
Read the full article →Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Making a Comeback for Osteoarthritis
A Medscape feature covering the return of LDRT across US hospitals, with expert commentary on why many referring doctors still do not know about it.
Read the full article →Osteoarthritis Pain Relief with Low-Dose Radiation Therapy
Penn Medicine opened an LDRT clinic after treating more than 150 osteoarthritis patients, describing it as a non-invasive option for patients who are not ready for surgery.
Read the full article →Using Low-Dose Radiation to Treat Osteoarthritis
UC Health physicians launched an LDRT program and noted that many Americans are still unaware this older treatment is again being offered in the US.
Read the full article →New Hope for Osteoarthritis: Upstate Offers Gentle Radiation Therapy
SUNY Upstate describes its LDRT program and notes that ASTRO's 2025 annual meeting theme was "Rediscovering Radiation Medicine."
Read the full article →Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Reemerging for Osteoarthritis
Cleveland Clinic describes its enterprise-wide LDRT program and care pathway, noting that fewer than 10% of US radiation oncologists were using LDRT for OA before 2023.
Read the full article →Low-Dose Radiation Improved Knee Osteoarthritis Pain and Function in RCT
Coverage of the Korean randomized trial results plus Vanderbilt's ongoing MOBILE study, which has enrolled 103 patients across 148 joint sites to test real-world feasibility of LDRT in US practice.
Read the full article →Knee Osteoarthritis: Radiotherapy Could Help Reduce Symptoms
A patient-friendly summary of the Korean randomized controlled trial, explaining the short-term findings and the limits of the available evidence.
Read the full article →Could Low-Dose Radiation Help Ease Osteoarthritis Joint Pain?
A local news feature on Northwell Health's Norwalk Hospital LDRT program, with radiation oncologist Dr. Christine Chin describing the treatment's goals for patients.
Read the full article →Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Osteoarthritis Joint Pain
Lahey Clinic's radiation oncology team describes LDRT as a treatment option for osteoarthritis joint pain, covering the typical six-visit schedule and insurance coverage.
Read the full article →Low Dose Radiation Therapy for Osteoarthritis
A patient-facing explainer on why this once-common arthritis treatment is regaining popularity in the United States.
Read the full article →Low-Dose Radiation Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Radiation oncologist Dr. Maxwell Tran explains the anti-inflammatory mechanism behind LDRT and addresses common patient questions about future joint replacement or steroid injections.
Read the full article →What to Do Next
What Is LDRT?
How the treatment works, the typical schedule, and what the evidence shows.
Am I a Candidate?
What programs generally look for before recommending LDRT.
Is It Covered by Insurance?
What Medicare and most commercial plans typically cover.
What to Expect
What a typical LDRT appointment and course of treatment looks like.
LDRT Side Effects
What's known about safety and the most commonly reported side effects.
LDRT Success Rates
What the published response and pain-relief rates actually show.
Arthritis Basics
How common forms of arthritis differ and when to seek care.
Find LDRT Near You
Browse our directory of hospitals and cancer centers currently offering low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis.
Find a Location Near You