New Spencer Cancer Center Oncologist Using Low-Dose Radiation to Treat Osteoarthritis Pain

Around 33 million U.S. adults are living with osteoarthritis, according to the CDC. Osteoarthritis is a painful, degenerative condition that impacts joints in the hands, knees, hips, and other areas of the body. For many, the daily struggle with stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility can impair their physical and mental outlooks. 

Arthur Ko, MD, PhD, a radiation oncologist who recently joined the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, is bringing a new treatment option for the condition to the region: low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT).

LDRT is a non-invasive treatment option for osteoarthritis pain, particularly for patients over 40 who haven't found relief with other treatments. It involves administering low doses of radiation to the affected joint over short, outpatient sessions to reduce inflammation and pain. The procedure is relatively quick, with each session lasting less than 10 minutes, and a total of 6 sessions are required. Multiple joints can be treated on the same day.

A board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Ko brings extensive clinical and research experience to the region. He trained at top institutions, including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Columbia University Medical Center. Before joining the Spencer Cancer Center, Dr. Ko helped establish a similar LDRT program for osteoarthritis in Macon, Georgia.

Dr. Ko was first introduced to LDRT while practicing in western Kansas. At the time, a colleague in the state mentioned to Ko that a clinic had seen very effective results and improvement in pain symptoms of Kansas farmers diagnosed with osteoarthritis by using low-dose radiation. This led Ko to spend more time educating himself about this treatment option. 

“Surprisingly, German doctors have been doing this for a long time. They typically treat over 50,000 patients annually with a 70 percent improvement rate.  “So, I brought the same setup and technical know-how from the Kansas facility to our Spencer Cancer Center.” Dr. Ko said.

Due to the low doses of radiation used, LDRT is generally considered safe, with minimal side effects, including mild skin reactions. The balance of safety and potential relief is what makes the therapy so promising for people living with daily pain.

Ko has seen the life-changing impact this treatment can have on patients living with chronic joint pain. He recalls one patient who had battled osteoarthritis in both hands for over a decade. The pain caused by her condition had rendered everyday tasks—like cooking or driving—unbearable. 

“After receiving just two radiation treatments, she became pain-free, so we stopped further treatment,” Ko said. “She was able to cook Thanksgiving dinner for her family members, open a pickle jar, and drive for 2-3 hours without any pain.

“This was the best success story. I was even shocked to see this amazing result.”

As more patients look for effective ways to manage chronic joint pain, treatments like LDRT are offering new possibilities for relief. For Dr. Ko, the goal is simple: to help people resume their everyday activities of living that bring them joy without being hindered by pain. To learn more about LDRT for osteoarthritis, contact the Spencer Cancer Center at 334-528-1070 or visit www.eastalabamahealth.org/scc.

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About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital that is currently under construction to add 30 critical care beds. EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital provides emergency and outpatient services while its campus also features a nursing home and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,800 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University.