The negative effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system have been well documented, but there hasn’t been much research on smoking’s impact on the musculoskeletal system.
This lack of research has made many orthopedic specialists hesitant to discuss smoking with their patients. Now orthopedic surgeons will be able to confidently discourage their patients from smoking as new research has detailed the negative effects of smoking on the musculoskeletal system.
The study found that orthopedic patients who stopped smoking had better results in both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Smoking has been shown to delay healing, and increase the risk of infection following surgery. It may also increase the risk of conditions that require orthopedic surgery.
For example, one study of patients who had hindfoot fusions reported that smokers had a higher rate of nonunion than those who quit smoking prior to surgery.
This research shows the importance of orthopedic specialists encouraging their patients to quit smoking.
“Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, but for your bones and your skin? I have been telling my patients for years and I am proud to say a few have quit,” says Foot & Ankle specialist, Dr. Lance Silverman. “Sadly, too many continue. Smoking leads to osteoporosis, skin wound delayed healing and infections, nonunion of fracture healing and fusions, arthritis, lumbar disk degeneration—the list goes on. How much more information do people need to stop something that is so bad for them? Quitting can help reverse these risks.”
Related Sources:
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