“The team was always attentive and invested in how I was doing each step of the way.”
After 46 years working at RWJBarnabas Health, Sandy Mazzeo was ready to enjoy her retirement by cooking, reading, spending time with her four grandchildren, and staying active. But before she had time to enjoy all these things, the osteoarthritis in her hands quickly became debilitating.
“My routine daily functions, such as brushing my teeth, combing my hair, holding a pen and chopping vegetables while cooking had become extremely difficult,” Sandy shared. “I tried everything, hand braces, heat wraps and cortisone injections, but nothing helped.”
When a hand surgeon told Sandy surgery wasn’t an option for her, she began searching for alternatives. That’s when she discovered research about low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) being used to treat arthritis pain.
“I thought, why not see if this could help me? I wasn’t ready to give up,” said Sandy.
Sandy went to the Radiation Oncology team at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), and spoke with Alison Grann, MD, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at The Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center as well as Director of Network Integration and Quality, Radiation Oncology, Northern Region RWJBH, about the use of radiation therapy for osteoarthritis.
“Low-dose radiation therapy is a painless treatment that targets the inflammatory cells of the affected joint. It decreases pain signals within the joint, resulting in less pain and improved joint function,” explains Dr. Grann. “This therapy does not change the joint structure itself, but instead it helps relieve the inflammation that contributes to pain.”
“The treatments were quick and painless. I had about six treatments over the course of three weeks, with each session lasting about 15 minutes,” shared Sandy. “The team was always attentive and invested in how I was doing each step of the way.”
Sonam Sharma, MD, a radiation oncologist at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, explains “Low-dose radiation therapy only uses a tiny fraction of radiation compared to what is used for cancer patients. The dose is much lower and designed to not destroy tissue. For the right patients it can make a big difference, helping to calm inflammation and reduce pain.”
“While low-dose radiation therapy isn’t a cure, it’s a safe, non-surgical option that can help people get their independences back,” adds Dr. Sharma.
For Sandy, the results have been life-changing. “I have about 80 to 90% less pain and no longer need my hand braces” she shares. “I just want other people to know this exists. If it helped me this much, it could help someone else too. I am so pleased with the outcome.”
Learn more about The Department of Radiation Oncology at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.