LDRT for Chronic Pain Relief

A Patient’s Journey to Pain Relief: How Low-Dose Radiotherapy Helped Jacqueline Funk

Living with chronic pain caused by benign conditions can make even the simplest daily activities difficult. From arthritis that limits mobility to painful inflammatory conditions that interfere with work, hobbies and quality of life, many patients spend years searching for relief.

For Jacqueline Funk, living with severe osteoarthritis in the top of her foot meant chronic pain had become part of daily life. Every step hurt, and finding comfortable footwear felt nearly impossible.

“Every shoe hurt,” Funk recalled. “I was already receiving low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) treatments for my hands and mentioned that my feet were actually much worse. Dr. Desai was willing to try treating the arthritis in my foot.”

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) is helping patients explore another option through LDRT, a non-invasive treatment approach that can reduce pain, calm inflammation and improve mobility for certain benign conditions.

A Different Approach to Treating Chronic Pain

Many people associate radiation therapy exclusively with cancer treatment. However, low-dose radiotherapy uses significantly lower doses of radiation to treat certain benign conditions, particularly those involving inflammation and chronic pain.

At FCS, board-certified radiation oncologists offer LDRT as a non-invasive outpatient treatment for several painful benign conditions, including osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis and more. Unlike surgery or more invasive procedures, LDRT requires no anesthesia or hospitalization, allowing most patients to continue their normal daily activities throughout treatment.

Treatment That Fit Her Busy Schedule

“The first appointment took about 30 minutes because they create a mold and find the right positioning for the radiation,” she explained. “After that, the treatments were quick, about 10 minutes total, with the actual radiation only taking seconds. Positioning takes the longest amount of time.”

A typical course of LDRT consists of six outpatient treatments over two to three weeks. At FCS, patients can expect to have their first consultation within three business days of referral, and treatment can start shortly after.

“I needed early morning appointments, and the visits were only about 15 minutes,” she said. “The team was very accommodating. They scheduled appointments two weeks in advance, five days in a row, and made sure everything worked with my schedule.”

Remarkable Results

After completing treatment, Funk noticed a significant improvement. “It has been amazing and has really helped. My pain has decreased significantly.”

According to Prashant Desai, MD, radiation oncologist at FCS, low-dose radiotherapy offers another option for certain patients whose symptoms have not improved with traditional therapies.

“Low-dose radiotherapy offers patients an additional option when other treatments have not provided enough relief or are no longer appropriate,” Dr. Desai said. “For carefully selected patients, LDRT can help reduce inflammation and pain while improving mobility and overall quality of life with minimal disruption to daily activities.”

Care That Made a Difference

Beyond the physical relief, Funk says the care she received throughout treatment stood out. “The technologists and the whole staff are phenomenal,” she said. “They know their patients, and they move fast.” She also hopes others won’t let misconceptions about radiation prevent them from exploring treatment.

“People are often afraid of radiation, but the low-dose radiation used for this treatment won’t affect your body the same way people may think,” Funk said. “LDRT is very strategic with placement and is a good use of radiation. People should give it a try if they get referred.”

Finding Hope Close to Home

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of Americans. While there is no cure, treatments that reduce inflammation and relieve pain can help patients maintain their independence and quality of life.

As more physicians and patients become aware of low-dose radiotherapy, individuals living with painful benign conditions may find new hope through this innovative treatment option available close to home.

Patients interested in learning more about LDRT for benign conditions can speak with their physician or contact Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute to determine whether treatment may be appropriate for their condition.