#45 | GMJ Podcast | Tskaltubo Mineral Baths in Osteoarthritis — Microcirculation, Erythrocytes, and Clinical Effects

In this episode of the ⁠GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal⁠ — we present a prospective clinical study evaluating the effects of Tskaltubo low-radon nitrogen mineral baths on erythrocyte biophysical parameters and microcirculation in patients with osteoarthritis.Balneotherapy has long been used in the management of musculoskeletal conditions; however, its physiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This episode explores how mineral water exposure may influence blood rheology, red blood cell function, and microvascular circulation — key factors in tissue oxygenation and joint health.The study provides insight into how low-radon nitrogen mineral baths may contribute to improved microcirculatory dynamics and cellular function, potentially supporting symptom relief and functional improvement in osteoarthritis patients.The episode examines key clinical and scientific considerations, including:• Effects of mineral baths on erythrocyte deformability and aggregation• Microcirculation and its role in osteoarthritis pathophysiology• Mechanisms of action of low-dose radon and dissolved nitrogen• Clinical implications for rehabilitation and non-pharmacological therapy• Integration of balneotherapy into evidence-based treatment strategies• Limitations of current evidence and directions for future researchThe findings suggest that balneotherapy may exert measurable physiological effects at the cellular and microvascular level, supporting its role as a complementary intervention in osteoarthritis management. However, further large-scale and controlled studies are needed to confirm clinical efficacy and establish standardized treatment protocols.From a clinical perspective, this episode highlights the importance of integrating traditional therapeutic modalities with modern scientific evaluation to optimize patient outcomes.This episode underscores the growing relevance of multidisciplinary approaches in rehabilitation medicine, combining physiology, clinical practice, and public health perspectives.https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/article/view/26https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19076785Citation:Shavianidze, G., Shavianidze, M., & Lomidze, G. (2026). Influence of Tskaltubo Low-Radon Nitrogen Mineral Baths on Erythrocyte Biophysical Parameters and Microcirculation in Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Clinical Study. The Georgian Medical Journal, 1(1), 99–114.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19076785