Study: the effect of fluoride mineral water on osteoarthritis

Mineral water containing fluoride in a concentration of more than 1 mg per liter (fluoridated water) is used intensively in the newly emerging spa and health resorts of the Russian Federation. Such water sources have been found in Siberia, Transbaikalia and the Krasnodar Territory (including the greater Sochi area). These water sources are mainly used for drinking as part of balneotherapeutic treatments. In this context, the study of the therapeutic effects of low mineralized hydrogen carbonate-sodium waters containing high fluoride concentrations is crucial to justify and promote their external treatment as part of combined spa and health cure programs for the treatment of various conditions.

The Kuban State Medical University study investigated the possibility of external treatment of "Plastunskaya" mineral water , which is characterized in particular by a high fluoride content,for the external treatment of osteoarthritis in 187 patients aged 37 to 63 years. The treatment was carried out in combination with gentle exercise therapy, therapeutic exercises, moderate climatotherapy and a balanced diet. The patients were prescribed general "Plastunskaya" mineral water baths with a fluoride concentration of 7.4 mg/l and a water temperature of 36 °C. These baths were taken for 7 to 15 minutes at a time. These baths were taken for 7 to 15 minutes each for two consecutive days, with a break every third day (the entire treatment cycle consisted of 14 to 16 baths).

It was shown that the combined treatment with fluoride-containing mineral water led to a significant improvement in the clinical and biochemical parameters characterizing the health status of patients with deforming osteoarthritis.