title: [Analgetic irradiation of degenerative-inflammatory skeletal diseases. Benefits and risks].
abstract: Between 1980 and 1991, ionizing radiation was applied for analgesic purposes to 181 patients (97 men, 84 women, mean age 54 [29-81] years) with degenerative-inflammatory skeletal disease. The long-term effects were evaluated by questionnaire. Radiation of 2.5 to 6.0 Gy achieved lasting pain relief in 21 of 30 patients (70%) with arthritis of the shoulder or humeroscapular periarthritis, 15 of 21 (71%) with arthritis of the hip, in 12 of 15 (80%) with heel spurs or Achilles tendon bursitis and 10 of 11 (91%) with epicondylitis. Pain relief lasted for longer than two years in 41 of the 77 patients (53%). There were no side effects at the stated dosage. According to dose measurements the theoretical risk of malignant tumour induction is 20-40/million radiated patients and thus four orders of magnitude below the spontaneous malignant tumour incidence rate. The genetic risk is even lower. Ionizing radiation of degenerative-inflammatory diseases is thus an effective form of treatment with few side effects.
authors: Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Nuklearmedizin, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Sautter-Bihl
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Liebermeister
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Scheurig
authors: H G
authors: HG
authors: Heinze
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D001168:Arthritis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002062:Bursitis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010489:Periarthritis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000532:radiotherapy
vernacular_title: Analgetische Bestrahlung degenerativentzündlicher Skeletterkrankungen. Nutzen und Risiko.