What programs generally look for, and who LDRT is generally not used for
Programs generally consider adults with osteoarthritis or degenerative joint pain, most often in the knees, hips, hands, shoulders, elbows, ankles, or feet, who haven't gotten enough relief from medications, injections, physical therapy, or other conservative treatments. Evidence is not equally strong for every joint; it's most direct for the knee.
Many programs are cautious about using LDRT in younger adults, since radiation-related risk has more time to develop. People with persistent, function-limiting pain (roughly 4 out of 10 or higher) tend to be better candidates. The strongest sham-controlled evidence [1] involved mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis; LDRT cannot regrow cartilage, so more advanced structural damage may respond less.
LDRT is generally not used for rheumatoid, psoriatic, or other autoimmune forms of arthritis. Those conditions are managed differently, and a rheumatologist is the right first call for them.
For education only. LDRT is not right for every patient. Talk with your doctor about whether it makes sense for your situation.
References:
1. Kim BH, et al. Clinical Effectiveness of Single Course Low-Dose Radiation Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis: Short-term Results from the Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial. ASTRO 67th Annual Meeting Late-Breaking Abstract LBA 06. 2025. Abstract