In addition to the harmful effects on the heart and lungs, smoking also has a number of harmful effects on the musculoskeletal system. Below are a number of reasons why, as orthopedic surgeons, we encourage our patients to quit smoking.
- Deleterious effects of smoking on the musculoskeletal system include:
- Osteoporosis (and therefore increased risk for fractures)
- Impaired circulation to the fingers and toes (which may result in painful, non-healing wounds)
- Delayed/impaired fracture healing
- Delayed/impaired wound healing
- Increased likelihood of complications and patient dissatisfaction following surgical procedures
- Increased risk of connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
So please, kick the habit! Here is a resource to help you quit: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm
