When Arthritis Pain Won’t Quit, Could Low-Dose Radiation Help?

8/31/2026

Just because Weyman Reimann wakes up with pain in both knees doesn’t mean the work stops. At 90 years old, Reimann leads an active lifestyle and tends to 50 head of cattle—a full-time job that depends on him and his wife, Kathleen, whether or not they wake up with the joint pain and stiffness caused by arthritis.

For people like Reimann who live with arthritis, pain and stiffness can make everyday activities more difficult. Walking, sleeping, working or simply doing the things you enjoy can become a struggle. With osteoarthritis, pain is often worse in the morning and may improve throughout the day.

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many ways to manage symptoms and keep moving. For some people, low-dose radiation therapy may be another option to consider.

Stephen Brown, M.D., FACR, a board-certified radiation oncologist with DeTar Cancer Center, recently shared information about this treatment during DeTar’s Arthritis Seminar on Monday, August 24.

“When you’re living with arthritis and chronic joint pain, it’s important to know that there may be more than one path to finding relief,” Brown said. “Understanding the available treatment options can help patients have informed conversations with their healthcare providers and determine what approach may be right for them.”

With more than 25 years of experience in radiation oncology, Brown brings extensive experience treating both cancer and noncancerous conditions. He has used advanced radiation treatments throughout his career and has seen how carefully targeted radiation can help patients in different settings.

“Dr. Brown brings a wealth of experience to DeTar, and we are excited about the opportunity to expand the ways we can help patients living with osteoarthritis,” Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System, said. “Our commitment is to bring innovative treatment options closer to home while making sure patients receive the right care for their individual needs. Having Dr. Brown’s experience and expertise here in Victoria gives our community another resource to consider when traditional treatments have not provided the relief patients need.”

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage that cushions our joints wears down over time. This can cause pain, swelling and stiffness, especially in joints such as the knees, hips and hands.

Treatment often starts with exercise, physical therapy, weight management, medications or injections. For people with severe joint damage, joint replacement may also be an option.

Dr. Brown says low-dose radiation therapy is not the first treatment for arthritis. Instead, it may be considered for some patients after they have talked with a rheumatologist and orthopedic specialist and tried other treatments. It may be ideal for those unfit for surgical intervention such as joint replacement.

How can radiation help arthritis?

Radiation therapy is best known for treating cancer. But doctors can also use very small doses of radiation to help reduce inflammation and pain in certain conditions.

For arthritis, the radiation is aimed at the painful joint. Treatment is noninvasive, meaning there is no surgery or incision.

“Low dose radiation for arthritis is localized to a certain part of the body such as knees, hips, hands and or shoulders, which is what I most commonly treat,” Brown said. “This treatment impacts the joint space and inhibits the response of inflammation.”

A common treatment plan involves six small doses given twice a week for about three weeks.

Research has shown that some patients experience meaningful pain relief after treatment. However, doctors are still studying LDRT to better understand which patients benefit most and what dose works best.

Could it be right for you?

Low-dose radiation therapy may be an option for some adults who:

• Have painful osteoarthritis that has lasted for several months
• Have tried other treatments without getting enough relief
• Are not good candidates for joint replacement or do not want surgery
• Have been evaluated by a joint specialist

It is not right for everyone. Your doctor will consider your age, medical history, previous treatments and other health conditions before recommending it.

A new option close to home

For Dr. Brown, offering LDRT at DeTar is another way to give patients access to treatment options without having to leave the Crossroads.

“Patients should know that they have options,” Brown said. “Low-dose radiation therapy is not for everyone, but for carefully selected patients with painful osteoarthritis, it may be another option to discuss when other treatments have not provided enough relief.”

Brown earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his radiation oncology residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is board certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology and is a fellow of the American College of Radiology.

Talk with your doctor

If arthritis pain is keeping you from doing the things you love, you do not have to simply live with it.

Start by talking with your healthcare provider about your pain and the treatments that may help. For some patients who have tried other options, low-dose radiation therapy could be another treatment to discuss.

“LDR-OA is one more option to think about after you have seen a rheumatologist and orthopedic surgeon and tried the usual treatments,” Brown said. “It is not the first thing we reach for.”

The goal is simple: help patients manage their pain, stay active and keep doing the things that matter most to them.

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