X-ray stimulation radiation is a form of radiotherapy. It is used to treat benign diseases. In particular, signs of wear and tear and inflammation of the joints and soft tissues can be treated well with it. X-ray irradiation is also known as pain irradiation, orthovoltage therapy or deep X-ray therapy.
Here you will find further information as well as selected specialists and centers for X-ray irradiation.
In X-ray stimulation radiation, the areas of the body to be treated are exposed to low-dose X-rays. This triggers various processes in the diseased tissue that can lead to pain relief.
X-ray irradiation has been used for over 100 years to treat various clinical pictures.
The mode of action of X-ray irradiation is not yet fully understood. Research assumes that irradiation increases blood circulation, among other things. It also inhibits the activity of
This does not correct the anatomical changes that have led to the pain. However, X-ray irradiation has a positive effect on the accompanying inflammatory symptoms. Within days or weeks (sometimes months), pain can be alleviated or even completely pain-free.
Pain irradiation is mainly used to treat pain in these areas of the body:
But also for
this form of radiotherapy is used. However, pain irradiation of heel spurs is the most frequently performed therapy.
Pain radiotherapy is a less complex and painless procedure. It is mainly used in patients for whom other treatment options (drug therapies or surgery) have not achieved the desired success.
Compared to the possible side effects of pain medication, the side effects of X-ray irradiation are relatively harmless.
Basically, the same equipment is used for pain irradiation as for cancer radiotherapy. These include a linear accelerator and an Orthovolt X-ray therapy device.
However, the radiation dose used for pain radiotherapy is significantly lower. For cancer treatment, it is at least 45 to 70 Gy. In the case of X-ray stimulation radiation, the radiation doses are 0.5 to 2 Gy (up to 24 Gy for heel spurs).
As with cancer radiotherapy, linear accelerators are used for X-ray stimulation radiation © VILevi | AdobeStock
After the specialists for X-ray stimulation radiation
sensitive regions (e.g. gonads, thyroid gland) are protected by lead shields.
The patient should not move during the painless treatment, which only lasts a few seconds or minutes. Irradiation is usually repeated several times over a period of around two to four weeks. The treatment may need to be repeated after a year.
The radiation dose applied is very low. Nevertheless, pain irradiation slightly increases the risk of developing a tumor and functional disorders (e.g. of the heart and gonads).
For this reason, patients must be followed up for at least six months after treatment.
Overall, however, side effects such as skin irritation (redness, inflammation, dryness) are rare. Pain may also increase at first before improving.
Specialists in X-ray irradiation are usually radiology specialists (radiotherapists). They often work in specialized clinics for X-ray stimulation radiation (radiation clinics). There they work in an interdisciplinary team with specialists from other fields (e.g. orthopaedists, rheumatologists).
The specialists then decide together on the basis of
the need for pain radiotherapy.
When planning the treatment, the X-ray radiation specialists are often supported by medical physicists.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
