Smoking
There is evidence to suggest that smoking is a risk factor for rotator cuff tears. Nicotine decreases the supply of Oxygen to the tissues and carbon monoxide inhibits cellular metabolism.
Patients who smoke are also at higher risk of developing surgical complications such as delayed wound healing, increased infection risk and less satisfactory surgical outcomes. Nicotine is known to slow down the production of bone forming cells and decreases the absorption of calcium.
Evidence also suggest that smokers have poor pain control and have a greater need for stronger painkillers like opioids.
Benefits for quitting smoking
Cigarettes have harmful chemicals such as tar and nicotine that can put you at risk of many health problems. Health problems you may experience from smoking include:
Blood clots and aneurysms in the brain, which can lead to strokes
Coronary artery disease, including chest pain (angina) and heart attacks
High blood pressure
Poor blood supply to the legs
Problems with erections
High risk for many different types of cancer
Lung problems, such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma
Making the decision to quit
Ideally stopping smoking should be a lifestyle choice. To maximise the benefits of stopping smoking, most doctors will advise you to stop using cigarettes and tobacco as soon as you are recommended to have surgery. Increasing the time between quitting smoking and your surgery to at least 10 weeks can decrease your risk of problems even more. However, even stopping a day or two will increase the oxygen supply into the body. Stopping between 3 – 6 weeks can increase the body’s defences against a infection by 50%. Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult.
There are many ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you, such as:
Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive or encouraging.
Talk to your doctor about medicines, such as nicotine replacement and prescription medicines.
If you join a smoking cessation programme, you have a much better chance of success. Such programmes are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centres, and work sites.
Using nicotine gum around the time of surgery is not encouraged. The nicotine will still interfere with the healing of your surgical wound and have the same effect on your general health as using cigarettes and tobacco.
References
NHS, 2022, Quit Smoking, viewed 28 September 2022
“Smoking greatly increases risk of complications after surgery
WHO, 2020, Smoking greatly increases risk of complications after surgery, viewed 28 September 2022 - https://www.who.int/news/item/20-01-2020-smoking-greatly-increases-risk-of-complications-after-surgery
Informed Health. Org (2018) Can quitting smoking before surgery prevent complications? - viewed 28 September 2022 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279556/
NICE, 2018, Stop smoking interventions and services. Guideline NG92, viewed 28 September 2022 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng92/chapter/Recommendations#if-a-person-who-smokes-wants-to-quit