Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Shoulder Osteoarthritis

The shoulder is one of the joints with the strongest LDRT evidence after the knee and hip, per the 2026 ARS Appropriate Use Criteria. The overall response rate across published LDRT data is 60–90%.

Turning down inflammation in an arthritic shoulder

• 01 - Inflamed shoulder - Reactive synovium: A thickened, vascular lining around the ball-and-socket joint can amplify pain.
• 02 - During treatment - Local signaling shifts: Small doses aim to change immune-cell and endothelial behavior, not destroy the joint.
• 03 - The weeks after - A quieter lining: The synovium may become less reactive and send fewer pain-amplifying signals over 4 to 12 weeks.

What changes: inflammatory behavior. What does not: cartilage and bone are not rebuilt.

Radiation Safety

The humeral head contains approximately 1–2% of total body red bone marrow. The ARS AUC estimates an additional secondary malignancy risk of approximately 0.06% when 2% of total body marrow is irradiated at 3 Gy. Zwicker et al. retrospective data: younger women receiving shoulder radiotherapy for non-malignant disorders showed no higher breast cancer risk than matched controls.

Typical dosing: 3 Gy total in 6 fractions of 0.5 Gy each. See radiation safety page, candidacy criteria, and find a provider.

See also: All joints treated with LDRT | Related large joints: Knee | Hip

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.