Arthritis affects about one in five Americans, and for patients who no longer get relief from traditional treatments, a new option is now available at select CHI Health hospitals in Nebraska. Low-dose radiation therapy is being used to treat osteoarthritis, including arthritis in the hands, knees, hips and other joints.
Charlotte Zieg says she dealt with worsening joint pain for 15 to 20 years after a 30-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. “I would sit there, anywhere I was at, and I would sit there rub my hands, rub my hands, rub my knees, just because they hurt so bad.”
Steroid injections, fluid drainage and medications eventually stopped providing relief. Her doctor referred her to Dr. Joseph Chiu, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at CHI Health St. Elizabeth.
Chiu says the treatment uses a very small amount of radiation to target white blood cells involved in the inflammatory response associated with osteoarthritis. “The way that it works is really actually using very low-dose radiation to target certain white blood cells that are responsible for the inflammatory reaction for osteoarthritis.”
The radiation dose is about five percent of what is typically used for a cancer patient. The treatment can be used on nearly any joint, except the spine. Patients receive six treatments during the first course, followed by an evaluation about 90 days later because the treatment can have a delayed response.
Zieg needed two rounds of treatment for arthritis in her hands, knees and one hip. She says the results have been significant. “I do feel 100 percent better. I can’t tell you how much it’s just helped me a lot.”
Chiu says the treatment has little to no side effects, and the risk of developing a secondary cancer is extremely low. Low-dose radiation therapy is covered by insurance, but patients need a referral from their provider to begin treatment.
In addition to CHI Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln, the treatment is also available at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.
(Photo: CHI Health)