169Er-Erbium Citrate is a generic therapy used for the isotopic radiation synovectomy of small-size joints (hands and feet).
169Er-Erbium citrate is used in the treatment of rheumatoid mono- or oligo-arthritis involving one or a few of the small joints of the hands and feet following failure of intra-articular corticosteroid therapy or when the latter is contra-indicated. The suspension is injected in each painful joint which is kept in the same position for a few hours or days to avoid the escape of the radioactive substance from the injected joints. The reduction of extra-articular escape is the major issue in this modality, but is now well controlled.