Hip osteoarthritis is among the most common LDRT indications after the knee. Evidence is primarily from large retrospective datasets; few hip-specific prospective trials exist. The 2026 ARS AUC overall response rate is 60–90% across joint types.
What changes: inflammatory behavior. What does not: cartilage, bone spurs, and joint spacing are not rebuilt.
OARSI 2019 does not recommend intra-articular corticosteroid injection for hip OA. The ACR 2019 guideline strongly recommends against hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) for the hip. These gaps leave fewer pharmacologic escalation options than exist for the knee, making LDRT comparatively more relevant for this joint.
The femoral head contains approximately 1–2% of total body red bone marrow. The ARS AUC estimates approximately 0.06% additional secondary malignancy risk when 2% of marrow is irradiated at 3 Gy.
See HA for hip, corticosteroid for hip, candidacy criteria, and find a provider.
See also: All joints treated with LDRT | Related large joints: Knee | Shoulder
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.