WEST JORDAN, UT (Aug. 26, 2025) – Radiation therapy, which has long been used as a key tool for treating cancerous tumors, is now being used at low doses to treat osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and other non-cancerous but painful inflammatory and degenerative conditions.
Dr. Leland Rogers, a radiation therapy physician at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley in Utah, has used Low Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) to treat a handful of patients in the past. But after examining findings largely from Germany and England and undertaking thorough training from experts there, Dr. Rogers is expanding his practice to offer LDRT to a broader group of patients in Utah.
“LDRT has been widely used in Europe for many years, and the results for patients have been impressive," Dr. Rogers said. "The United States has been slower to adopt this treatment option, but many of my colleagues and I have reviewed the results and seen that it is both safe and highly effective. We want to make this option available for patients here.”
For about 75 percent of patients treated with LDRT, their pain is significantly reduced and their quality of life greatly improved following the treatment regimen. In some cases, patients have been able to reduce the use of medications, and at least delay any needed surgery after undergoing LDRT.
One of the most common treatments for osteoarthritis is steroid injections. According to Dr. Rogers, those steroids, while providing temporary relief, can also accelerate the degenerative process and thus the need for joint replacements and other surgical procedures. The radiation treatment does not have this effect and improves both pain and function for the majority of patients.
LDRT is done on a linear accelerator machine at the hospital, but the radiation dosage is much lower than that used to treat cancerous tumors. Patients typically receive six 10-minute treatments over a three-week period. Patients rarely experience side effects.
How does LDRT work? It reduces inflammation in the joints, impacts the body’s immune response by slowing down its attack on tissues, and decreases pain signals in the area where the radiation is carefully targeted. The common result is improved function and decreased pain.
LDRT is most commonly used for treating shoulders, knees, hips, feet and ankles. At this point, most physicians, including Dr. Rogers, are not using it to treat lower back pain.
Patients who are suffering from painful osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis can contact the hospital for a consultation to learn whether they might be a candidate for LDRT. Call 801-601-2260 to learn more.
Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 155,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.
