After years of shoulder pain threatened to limit his active lifestyle, Maroochy River resident, Bob discovered a treatment option that has helped him get back to doing the things he loves.
At 71, Bob has no shortage of projects to keep him busy.
As President of the Nambour Men’s Shed, he spends his time building and repairing items for local kindergartens, Nambour Special School, community centres and residents across the region.
At home, he also enjoys spending time with his wife, Rhonda, their three daughters and six grandchildren.
But increasing shoulder pain caused by osteoarthritis was making everyday activities increasingly difficult.
I needed to have both my shoulders replaced and I was in a lot of pain.
The pain began to interfere with even the simplest daily activities.
I had extreme pain to the point I struggled to put deodorant on.
Finding the right treatment option
While shoulder replacement surgery remained an option, Bob was concerned about the recovery time.
“I really didn’t have time for the 12-month recovery from the surgery,” he says.
With his community commitments and an active family life, Bob wanted to explore an alternative that could help manage his pain while allowing him to continue doing the things that mattered to him.
Exploring low dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis
In April 2026, Bob underwent low dose radiotherapy at Icon Cancer Centre Maroochydore to treat the pain associated with osteoarthritis in his shoulders.
The treatment uses carefully targeted, low doses of radiation to help manage inflammation and pain associated with certain degenerative joint conditions.
For some people with osteoarthritis, low dose radiotherapy may offer a non-surgical treatment option to help relieve pain and improve function.
Bob says the difference since his treatment has been significant.
I have had low dose radiotherapy and the pain is all but gone, I can go about my normal activities without having any pain.
Getting back to the things he loves
For Bob, being able to return to his usual activities has made a meaningful difference.
Whether he is working on projects at the Men’s Shed, helping local schools and community organisations, or spending time with his family, he says he is now able to do so without the shoulder pain that previously restricted him.
Although he still expects to need shoulder replacement surgery at some point, the improvement in his symptoms has given him more flexibility.
“My shoulders will still need to be replaced at some point, but while I remain pain free, I can choose when.”
For Bob, that means having more control over his treatment decisions and the opportunity to continue contributing to his community.
A treatment option for people living with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can cause persistent pain, stiffness and reduced movement, affecting a person’s ability to work, participate in hobbies and enjoy everyday life.
While joint replacement surgery may be appropriate for some people, others may benefit from exploring non-surgical treatment options.
Low dose radiotherapy is one treatment that may help manage pain associated with osteoarthritis in selected patients. Suitability depends on an individual’s condition, symptoms, medical history and previous treatments.
For people like Bob, it may provide an opportunity to improve their quality of life while considering their longer-term treatment options.