Scientists from South Korea have identified a new effective approach to reducing pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease. Clinical study results demonstrate that the application of low-dose radiation therapy can significantly alleviate pain and improve joint mobility, circumventing the need for surgery. This groundbreaking research was presented at the annual conference of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
In the experiment, 114 volunteers diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into three groups: two received different doses of radiation, while the third received a placebo, simulating treatment without radiation. After six sessions, patients in the higher-dose group showed a significant reduction in pain and a notable improvement in overall physical condition, with no reported adverse side effects.
Researchers particularly emphasize that the radiation doses utilized in this therapy are tens of times lower than those typically applied in oncology and are considered completely safe for the human body. According to Dr. Ben Heck Kim, a radiation oncologist from Seoul National University, this method could emerge as an optimal solution, acting as a “golden mean” between conventional medication and total joint replacement, especially for patients for whom standard painkillers or injections do not provide adequate relief.
Interestingly, experts had previously debunked the popular myth that cracking or popping sounds in the knees are a definitive sign of developing arthritis. Studies have consistently shown that such joint noises are not intrinsically linked to a worsening of their functional state and do not predict the future onset of the disease.
