Has anyone had low dose radiation for osteoarthritis of the low spine?

Radiation to treat osteoarthritis? This sounds like BS to my ears. I've been dealing with osteoarthritis in my left knee for over 40 years. And now I've developed it in my other knee, along with both hips, my neck, hands, right elbow, and lower back. I'm in chronic pain 24/7 from this insidious condition, in addition to having idiopathic poly neuropathy in both feet.
Even after decades of pain not a single doctor that I've seen has even hinted at something like that being a viable option. Is this something your doctor has referred to?

Yes, some people have had low-dose radiation therapy for spinal Osteoarthritis and report meaningful pain relief sometimes lasting months to years because the treatment can reduce inflammation and calm irritated nerve pathways, but outcomes are inconsistent with others experiencing only partial or no improvement, and because the lumbar spine is close to sensitive structures like the spinal cord it’s used more cautiously and usually only considered after standard options such as medications, physical therapy, or injections haven’t worked, so while it can be beneficial for certain patients it isn’t a guaranteed solution and is best evaluated on a case-by-case basis with a specialist.

I have also dealt with arthritis and back pain for 30 years, and have tried everything with no results. So this week I met with the oncologist who does low dose radiation where I live. It sounds like something I would like to try, but I would like to know if anyone has had this done and what the results were.

do xrays count? If so I should be painfree by now. (or I wonder what I would be like without them after all these years) I'm making a joke, but I've never heard of that either! Sounds risky!

@keyoung67 There is a renewal of interest in this therapy, here is what Cleveland Clinic has to say about it:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/low-dose-radiation-therapy-for-osteoarthritis
And for a "deeper dive" a current review of the studies about it:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053429625000566
I am very interested in looking into it, because my arthritic wrist is failing me, and I am willing to try a less drastic approach before total wrist replacement. I will discuss it with the hand/wrist doc in 2 weeks.

@keyoung67 Did you go through with it? I have OA of the knees. I went for a consult today at Uof MD near me. Would love to know if you did it and how it went?

Yes, I had low dose radiation to my low back and right shoulder for 3 weeks-2 treatments each week. Unfortunately, it did not help my back at all. But I did have mild improvement of my right shoulder. To me, it was worth a try. The doctor did not recommend repeating the treatments.
Good luck if you proceed.

@sueinmn I went to a hand wrist surgeon at my wits and after 30 years. I am an artist. I went to a top drawer surgeon and we were joking and he said Miss Escalera. I can take your hand off, but I can’t put it back on. He said that my hand and wrist were just riddled with osteoarthritis. Turns out a lady from this group recommended tart cherry capsules which I bought the next day on Amazon and 24 hours later after 30 years my hand and wrist were pain-free. !!!! turns out I had gout as well as the osteoarthritis, but it was the gout that was causing the pain and stiffness and inflammation so I asked my primary care doctor to put me on allopurinol which is what my dad was on for gout. And that keeps my uric acid level, perfectly centered and the gout at bay and allows me to be pain-free and my wrist and hands so before you go forward with any surgery, I suggest you check out that route, especially if you have any family history of gout. ZAZZEE I think it’s 10000:1 or 3000 units. But it’s $15 on Amazon then if it works, you’ll be thrilled. There is another kind of doubt called pseudogout for which the only remedy is Tylenol type treatment. It’s joint pain in your hands and wrists that’s caused by deposits of calcium. Please check all this out before you schedule an unnecessary surgery.

@loriesco My pain was not from gout, the wrist itself was damaged, repaired years ago (proximal row carpectomy), the repair was failing, and the bones were in the process of fusing themselves into a solid mass, with zero range of motion. That would not do for me as an artist and gardener.

So I had the total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) a little over 3 months ago, and am excited to report - no pain except a little achiness when weather changes or I overdo. Range of motion much improved - still working to get those last few degrees of rotation, flexion and extension. Scar disappearing, and x-rays show implants are firmly integrating with bone.

My only limitations are no impact activities (hammering, hitting a volleyball) and no repetitive full weight bearing on the joint (like pushups.)
My surgeon is one of only 2 near me who perform the procedure, and only on carefully vetted patients.

We are all different, and for me, when all conservative measures fail, there is a place for "drastic measures."