If cortisone injections for osteoarthritis are wearing off faster, or you're looking for something other than another shot, here's another non-surgical option to know about
A corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine injected into a joint. It may provide short-term relief, especially when inflammation or a flare is contributing to pain. Relief may begin within days and can last from weeks to a few months, but responses vary, and the injection does not restore cartilage. Repeated injections into the same joint require a careful discussion about timing, risks, diabetes, infection, and plans for possible surgery.
Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) sits between an injection and surgery: it's non-invasive and outpatient, like an injection, but centers report that relief, when it works, tends to last longer than a typical cortisone injection, without the recovery time of surgery. There's no needle beyond what may be used for imaging guidance in some cases, no sedation, and no recovery period. A full LDRT course involves six treatment sessions over about two to three weeks, each visit roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
As with effectiveness generally, exactly how LDRT compares to cortisone injections head-to-head in rigorous trials is still being studied. The site's LDRT success rates page summarizes the current evidence in more detail.
Relief may begin within days; typically lasts weeks to a few months. Quick, in-office procedure. Repeated injections carry risks that require discussion with your doctor.
Six outpatient sessions over 2–3 weeks. No needle, sedation, or recovery period. Centers report relief that, when it works, tends to last longer, though rigorous head-to-head comparisons are still limited.
For education only. LDRT is not right for every patient. Talk with your doctor about whether it makes sense for your situation.
For the clinical evidence behind LDRT's effectiveness, see our LDRT Success Rates page or the full reference list on FAQ.