A Former Judge's Journey to Pain-Free Living Through LDRT

(Linda and her husband Dennis)

For years, retired judge Linda Lordi Cavanaugh lived with the ever-present pain of arthritis in her hands. It was an unwelcome guest that made everyday tasks a challenge. But thanks to an innovative treatment called Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT), Linda is now enjoying her retirement with significantly less pain and a renewed sense of freedom.

Linda, a 73-year-old who lives in Spring Lake and enjoys her time at the Jersey Shore and Florida with her husband Dennis, had tried the usual remedies for her arthritis—cortisone shots and medication—but found little lasting relief. "I can remember for a very long time, never going to sleep without having pain somewhere in my hands," she recalls. Simple things, like opening a water bottle, became difficult.

Her rheumatologist Deborah Alpert, M.D., suggested she meet with Timothy Chen, M.D., a radiation oncologist and medical director of the academic medical center’s Central Nervous System Program at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, to discuss LDRT. This treatment, which has been used in Europe for many years but is newer to the United States, uses a very small, targeted dose of radiation to calm inflammation in the joints. Dr. Chen began providing LDRT at Jersey Shore in 2024. "He was wonderful, and he was honest," Linda says of Dr. Chen. "He said, 'I can't make it go away… but I'm pretty confident I can make it better.'"

And it did. The treatment itself was surprisingly simple, consisting of several short sessions over a couple of weeks. "My treatments were simple and quick, nothing to get anxious about," Linda says. While the results weren't instantaneous, they were life-changing. "I have moments now when nothing hurts in my hands," she shares, a reality she couldn't have imagined before. The improvement was so dramatic that she was able to cook her entire Thanksgiving dinner, something she wouldn't have been able to do previously with the pain in her hands.

So, how does LDRT work? The low dose of radiation has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the activity of inflammatory cells in the joint. This helps to alleviate pain and swelling, leading to improved mobility. "Generally speaking, treatment for smaller joints like those in the hands and feet works faster — you can see pain relief within a week, sometimes two," Dr. Chen explains. "At one month, about 85 percent of people tell me their pain is much better."

LDRT is a non-invasive procedure with minimal to no side effects. It's a great option for people with osteoarthritis, which affects around 33 million Americans, who haven't found relief with other treatments or want to delay or avoid surgery. The pain relief can last for months or even years, and the treatment can be repeated if necessary.

For Linda, LDRT has been a game-changer. She's now able to enjoy her retirement—spending time with her grandchildren, volunteering, and enjoying life at the shore—without the constant burden of pain. "I heartily recommended it to people," she says. "This is a big deal to me."

Dr. Chen and Adnan Danish, M.D., radiation oncologist at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center provide LDRT to patients across New Jersey.  For more information, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthier-you/2025/11/17/new-option-for-joint-pain-relief-low-dose-radiation-therapy.  To make an appointment with Dr. Chen or Dr. Danish, call 844-HMH-WELL.