the smoking interferes with the healing of tibial fractures, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Journal of Ortopaedic Trauma.
In adults, tibial fractures are usually fixed by surgically implanting a thin metal rod called an intramedullary nail into the hollow space in the bone. This treatment is generally effective for shin fractures. However, in 10% to 15% of cases, the bone does not heal quickly, resulting in unassisted or stopped healing.
Researchers at Lehigh University in the United States conducted a study with 1,003 patients with fractured tibia over a period of 20 years. The results of their research uncovered 12 cases of non-consolidation or cessation of healing, analyzed as a severe complication in the healing of a fracture, with major effects on health. Patients with non-union may experience pain, take prolonged opioid therapy, and experience depression. 60% of affected patients will be able to return to work.
The authors of the study put forward that the smoking considerably delays bone healing and that it is rather young women, aged 30 to 49 years, the most at risk of non-healing of fractures. A conclusion that the researchers do not explain but which highlights that there are other factors such as the way and environment of life, the job, the levels of exercise and the diet which also contribute to the bone healing.
“Smoking does not increase the risk of nonunion, but significantly prolongs the time to bone healing,” said the study authors.
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