Korean researchers found that low-dose radiation therapy eased knee pain and improved movement in people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. The treatment, far weaker than cancer radiation, showed real benefits beyond placebo. With no side effects and strong trial results, the approach could provide a middle ground between painkillers and joint surgery.
Seems like great news! Since the article doesn’t mention it, is anyone able to explain why this works? I don’t know much about this kind of stuff, but I can’t imagine any reason that radiation would help stop cartilage from breaking down
It stops inflammation for a while. This leads to pain relief. It does not stop further cartilage damage, AFAIK (though, in theory, should slow it down a bit?)