Yttrium-90 for Arthritic Joints

Treatment with yttrium-90 is most beneficial for knee joints with recurrent effusions (fluid collections) which respond temporarily to steroid injections. It is also a suitable treatment for pigmented villonodular synovitis which is a destructive disease of the synovium (the joint lining).

The treatment is delivered as a liquid injection into the affected joint.Yttrium works by treating the inner lining layer of the joint, where the excessive fluid is produced, without causing damage to outer tissues (the radiation only affects tissues within 3mm of the dose). The effect is sometimes permanent, but re-growth can occur within weeks, months or even years. It is possible to have further yttrium injections if re-growth occurs.

If you have been referred for an yttrium injection you will be given an appointment in the Nuclear Medicine department at QAH. The injection is very similar to a steroid injection, but extra care has to be taken to protect against leaks of radiation onto skin or clothing – the staff will wear protective aprons, shoe covers and gloves. The use of steroid at the time of the yttrium injection means that any inflammation in your joint before injection will settle within 24 hours, and hopefully not re-occur as the yttrium does its work.