Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Bursitis

Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) is an outpatient treatment that directs a very small amount of radiation at an inflamed area, aiming to calm the inflammation that drives chronic pain. Bursitis, particularly trochanteric bursitis at the hip, is one of several benign inflammatory conditions treated with LDRT, most often studied in older adults alongside related joint conditions.

What the Evidence Shows

A prospective trial focused specifically on adults age 70 and older evaluated LDRT for several degenerative and inflammatory conditions, including painful trochanteric bursitis, alongside heel pain, Achilles tendon pain, and knee osteoarthritis. Patients were treated with single doses of 0.5 to 1.0 Gy, for a total dose of 6.0 Gy, and pain was measured both immediately after treatment and during longer-term follow-up.^[1]

A 2026 clinical review of LDRT for musculoskeletal conditions cited trochanteric bursitis specifically as one of the conditions with supportive data for LDRT's anti-inflammatory benefit, alongside epicondylitis and various tendinopathies.^[2] A historical review covering more than 37,000 patients treated with radiotherapy for inflammatory conditions in the early-to-mid 20th century found bursitis to be one of the conditions with frequently long-lasting relief, in some cases described by treating physicians as permanent.^[3]

Typical Schedule

• Total dose of about 6 Gy in many published protocols, though some programs use a lower total dose closer to 3 Gy, split into 6 treatments
• Treatments given 2 to 3 times per week, over about 2 to 3 weeks
• Each visit takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes; no needle, sedation, or recovery period

Who May Be a Candidate

Programs generally consider adults with chronic bursitis, most often trochanteric bursitis at the hip, who have already tried conservative treatments such as physical therapy, activity modification, or corticosteroid injections without lasting relief. Much of the published evidence specifically involved patients over age 70, though programs may consider younger adults on a case-by-case basis. A radiation oncologist weighs age, duration of symptoms, and prior treatment history before recommending it.

References:
1. Micke O, et al. Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Benign Painful Skeletal Disorders: The Typical Treatment for the Elderly Patient? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2017. PubMed
2. Hoveidaei AH, et al. Low-dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) in Managing Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Ther Res. 2025. PMC
3. Calabrese EJ, et al. Radiotherapy treatment of human inflammatory diseases and conditions: Optimal dose. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2019. SAGE Journals