VA PODIATRIST DISCUSSES SMOKING AND SURGICAL RISKS
posted: Feb. 21, 2013.
PODIATRIST, DR. LAWRENCE RUBIN STATES "THAT SMOKERS ARE A HIGH-RISK GROUP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT PARTICULARLY SO DURING AND AFTER SURGERY. IN ADDITION TO LONGER HEALING TIMES, BLOOD CLOTS, WOUNDS THAT BREAK OPEN AND GREATER RISK OF INFECTION ARE OTHER DANGERS FACING SMOKERS. PERHAPS THE MOST SERIOUS THREAT TO SMOKERS WHO HAVE FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY, HOWEVER, IS NON-UNION OR FAILURE OF THE BONE TO MEND. SMOKERS ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE NON-UNION THAN NON-SMOKERS."