LDRT for Osteoarthritis: A Discussion Guide for Your Doctor Visit

This is a one-page printable summary to bring to your appointment when asking about low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) for osteoarthritis. You can print it or save it as a PDF using your browser’s print destination. LDRT is a non-invasive treatment for osteoarthritis pain: typically six short outpatient sessions using a total dose roughly 20 to 25 times lower than cancer radiation. It aims to calm inflammation in the joint to relieve pain, and treatment is painless.

Candidacy Checklist

Based on the 2026 American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria, check any that apply to you and bring this list to your appointment:

• Age 40 or older
• Diagnosed with osteoarthritis (not rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis)
• Joint pain has lasted 3 months or more despite standard treatments
• Moderate to severe symptoms affecting daily life or function
• No joint replacement already in the affected joint
• No prior radiation therapy to the same area
• Not pregnant

Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor

1. Have I tried enough standard treatments to consider LDRT?
2. Is my joint and X-ray grade (KL grade) a good fit for this treatment?
3. Is there any reason radiation would be inappropriate for me specifically?
4. Would you refer me to a radiation oncologist for a consultation?
5. What should I expect from my insurance, since some plans currently classify LDRT as investigational?

Education only — not medical advice. This guide does not replace care from your clinical team; decisions about your health should be made with your medical team. This site has no financial relationships with radiation therapy providers, device manufacturers, or insurers, and receives no advertising, sponsorship, or industry funding. It is medically reviewed by Robert Warren Floyd, M.D., Ph.D.

Related pages: Interactive candidacy check | Full candidacy criteria | Find an LDRT provider

Medically reviewed by: Robert Warren Floyd, M.D., Ph.D. — Resident Physician, Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Last reviewed: September 8, 2026. Independent personal project — not affiliated with or endorsed by MD Anderson Cancer Center. Funding & independence disclosure.

This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment decisions.