Low-dose radiation linked to less MRI deterioration in knee osteoarthritis

Low-dose radiation (4.5 Gy/10 fractions) for early knee osteoarthritis showed less MRI joint deterioration and a 67% lower adjusted disability hazard (31% vs 61% for grade 2) over a median 12-year follow-up.

• Randomized trial of 292 patients compared glucosamine/chondroitin alone vs plus low-dose radiation; median follow-up 12 years.
• At 12 months, MRI scores slightly improved with radiation but worsened with medication alone, and the difference persisted over 3-year imaging.
• For grade 2 disease, knee replacement occurred in 14% of radiation-treated patients vs 36% of medication-only patients.

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