Kirkland, Wash.-based EvergreenHealth began using low-dose radiation therapy to treat osteoarthritis in late 2025, offering another option for certain patients who have not found enough relief through traditional treatments, according to an Aug. 13 Seattle Refined report.
The treatment, known as LDRT, is provided through a collaboration between the health system’s orthopedic and radiation oncology teams. Adam Rothenberg, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, and Rosanna Yeung, MD, a radiation oncologist, worked together to bring the treatment to patients.
LDRT targets affected joints with a significantly lower radiation dose than is commonly associated with cancer treatment. A typical treatment plan consists of six sessions over several weeks, with each visit lasting less than 30 minutes. Some patients may undergo six additional sessions after a follow-up evaluation.
More than 32 million people in the United States have osteoarthritis. LDRT may be an option for certain patients who have not found relief through other therapies or have health conditions that limit their ability to take certain medications or undergo surgery, according to the report.
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