Smokers Fare Worse in Bone Surgery - 8 News NOW

Smokers Fare Worse in Bone Surgery

Smokers apparently do worse in surgery than non-smokers.. and it's of special concern in any surgery having to do with bones.
A study found that smokers can take nearly fifty percent longer to heal after foot or ankle surgery, and in some cases, their bones failed to heal at all.
Surgeons often ask smokers to give up the habit, at least for some period of time before surgery. It can affect healing in many ways.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is currently trying to find ways to get a better result with smokers, but in the meantime, it's one more reason to try to quit.

An article from the recent Las Vegas Convention of Foot & Ankle Surgeons:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smoking-and-bone-healing----a-risky-surgical-combination-190678191.html

This article from 2010 explores smokers' risk of death after surgery:
http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20101019/smoking-raises-surgery-risks

This video from Mayo Clinic talks about ways to quit smoking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hDYZl594ok