Sharif M et al. Serum hyaluronic acid level as a predictor of disease progression in osteoarthritis of the knee. Arthritis Rheum 38:760-767, 1995; Hochberg MC et al. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee. Arthritis Rheum 37:1177-1180, 1994
Stable isotopes of an element do not change over time. Atoms of unstable isotopes â also called radioisotopes--change into other elements over time through radioactive decay. Radioisotopes are used in many medical imaging and diagnostic procedures, with the isotope Tc-99m being used in 80 percent of tests.
Personal health improves with radiation. 1  It allows for quick, safe, early and more accurate medical diagnoses. 2  It can be harnessed as a treatment for certain diseases.  Tens of millions of patients are treated with nuclear medicine each year, and more than 10,000 hospitals worldwide use radioisotopes in medicine.