Tabagismo e cicatrização musculoesquelética Folheto

O que é

O cigarro afeta mais do que os pulmões e o coração. Ele também prejudica a capacidade do seu corpo de cicatrizar após cirurgias de ossos, articulações, tendões e ligamentos. Esta página explica por quê e o que isso significa para a sua cirurgia.

A nicotina, a substância química viciante do tabaco, estreita os pequenos vasos sanguíneos que levam oxigênio e nutrientes aos tecidos em cicatrização. Ela tem um efeito dependente da dose sobre a consolidação óssea, o crescimento ósseo e a integração dos implantes [1]. Isso significa que quanto mais nicotina o seu corpo recebe, mais ela pode atrapalhar a cicatrização. O osso precisa de um fornecimento constante de sangue para se consolidar, e os implantes precisam de osso saudável para se fixar.

Os efeitos aparecem em muitos tipos de cirurgia. Os fumantes têm um risco maior de complicações clínicas e cirúrgicas após uma prótese eletiva de quadril ou de joelho [2]. Após o reparo do manguito rotador, os produtos de tabaco aquecido têm um efeito prejudicial sobre a cicatrização do tendão semelhante ao do cigarro [3]. O tabaco sem fumaça está associado a mais complicações após a reconstrução do LCA (ligamento cruzado anterior) [4, 5] e após a prótese de quadril [6]. Na cirurgia de fraturas do tornozelo e do calcanhar, fumar aumenta o risco de infecção na ferida [7]. A dependência de nicotina antes da cirurgia de fratura do úmero (o osso do braço) traz um aumento de 60-110% no risco de complicações como infecção, abertura da ferida, pseudoartrose (uma fratura que não consolida) e nova cirurgia [8].

A boa notícia é que o tabagismo é um fator de risco modificável [9, 10]. Isso significa que é algo que você pode mudar. Parar de fumar faz diferença. Ex-fumantes que pararam mais de 6 meses antes do reparo do manguito rotador não apresentam aumento detectável de infecção ou de cirurgia de revisão em comparação com pessoas que nunca fumaram [11]. O seu médico pode conversar com você sobre parar de fumar, e sobre as opções de reposição de nicotina, bem antes da data da sua cirurgia.

Funciona mesmo?

A resposta honesta é que a cirurgia ainda pode funcionar para fumantes, mas as evidências mostram que muitas vezes ela funciona menos bem. Estudos sobre a prótese de ombro constataram que os fumantes atuais podem ter uma função pior depois do que as pessoas que nunca fumaram ou que pararam [12]. A taxa de complicações e de cirurgia de revisão foi semelhante entre os grupos [12]. Então, o implante em si pode resistir, mas o modo como o seu ombro se sente e se move pode não chegar ao mesmo nível.

A nicotina por si só, sem o tabaco, também importa. Pesquisas sobre a prótese de ombro constataram que a dependência de nicotina de fontes que não o cigarro esteve associada a mais aberturas da ferida e infecções nos primeiros 90 dias, e a mais soltura e infecções da articulação aos 2 anos [13]. Após o reparo artroscópico do manguito rotador, as pessoas com dependência de nicotina precisaram de mais novos reparos do manguito e de mais procedimentos para liberar um ombro rígido ou limpar a articulação, tanto aos 2 quanto aos 5 anos [14].

O mesmo padrão aparece em outros lugares. Após a reconstrução do LCA, as pessoas que nunca fumaram tiveram mais chance de recuperar uma boa função do joelho do que os fumantes [15]. Na prótese de joelho, o tabagismo parece afetar o período inicial de recuperação, e não apenas os níveis de dor [16]. Na cirurgia de fraturas, o efeito da nicotina sobre a consolidação óssea depende da dose, e isso foi demonstrado em estudos com animais e em laboratório [1]. Os cirurgiões são orientados a perguntar a todo paciente com fratura do escafoide, um pequeno osso do punho, se ele fuma ou usa tabaco sem fumaça, porque ambos aumentam a chance de a fratura não consolidar [17].

Algumas dessas evidências são mais fortes do que outras. Grande parte vem de grandes registros de pacientes, e não de estudos em que as pessoas são divididas aleatoriamente em grupos. Alguns achados são mistos. Um estudo constatou que fumar trouxe um risco maior de complicações do que o tabaco sem fumaça após a prótese de joelho [18], o que sugere que nenhum produto de tabaco é claramente seguro no período da cirurgia.

O que isso significa para você é simples. Parar de fumar antes da cirurgia dá ao seu corpo a melhor chance de cicatrizar bem, e quanto antes você parar, melhor.

Quais são os riscos?

Os principais riscos são os já descritos: cicatrização mais lenta, problemas na ferida e infecção. Mas há alguns detalhes que vale a pena conhecer.

A nicotina de qualquer fonte, e não apenas do cigarro, aumenta a chance de abertura da ferida, infecção e disseminação grave da infecção nos primeiros 90 dias após a prótese de ombro [13]. Também aumenta a chance de o implante se soltar ou infeccionar aos 2 anos [13]. Isso inclui a nicotina de sachês, gomas de mascar ou outros produtos que não contêm nenhum tabaco.

Alguns riscos dependem do local da cirurgia. Fumar aumenta o risco de infecção na ferida após a cirurgia de fraturas do tornozelo e do osso do calcanhar [7]. Após a prótese de joelho, o tabagismo parece afetar mais o período inicial de recuperação [16]. Nas fraturas do escafoide, um pequeno osso do punho, tanto o cigarro quanto o uso de tabaco sem fumaça são apontados como sinais de que o osso pode não consolidar [17].

Nem todo risco está confirmado. Um estudo sobre um tipo específico de cirurgia da coluna lombar constatou que fumar não retardou a fusão óssea quando foi usada uma técnica padrão [19]. Técnicas mais novas e aditivos para a consolidação óssea podem compensar alguns dos efeitos do tabagismo nesse contexto [20]. Portanto, o quadro não é o mesmo para todas as cirurgias.

O risco mais claro é aquele que você pode mudar. A nicotina é um fator de risco modificável na cirurgia do manguito rotador [10]. Parar de fumar mais de 6 meses antes do reparo do manguito rotador não mostra aumento detectável de infecção ou de cirurgia de revisão em comparação com pessoas que nunca fumaram [11].

É a opção certa para você?

Não há um simples sim ou não aqui. Fumar não impede você de fazer a cirurgia, mas muda a conversa que você e o seu médico precisam ter. As evidências mostram que o tabaco e a nicotina afetam a cicatrização em muitas cirurgias, das fraturas do punho às próteses de ombro e de joelho. Portanto, a questão é menos se você pode fazer a cirurgia e mais como dar ao seu corpo a melhor chance de cicatrizar bem.

É por isso que a triagem é importante. Os cirurgiões são orientados a perguntar a todo paciente com fratura do escafoide se ele fuma ou usa tabaco sem fumaça [17], e a perguntar sobre todas as formas de uso de tabaco antes da reconstrução do LCA [4, 5]. A nicotina de fontes que não o tabaco também faz parte dessa verificação [21]. Se você usa algum desses produtos, avisar o seu médico cedo permite planejar em função disso, inclusive parando bem antes da data da sua cirurgia.

Algumas situações exigem cuidado extra. Se você é fumante atual ou recente e vai fazer uma prótese de ombro, as pesquisas sugerem que uma internação de pelo menos 2 noites pode ajudar no período inicial de recuperação [22]. E, após a prótese de joelho, o tabagismo parece afetar mais o início da recuperação [16], por isso um acompanhamento mais próximo nessas primeiras semanas pode fazer diferença.

Esta é uma decisão compartilhada. Fale com sinceridade sobre o seu uso de cigarro ou de nicotina, pergunte o que isso significa para a sua cirurgia específica e pese os riscos descritos na seção acima em relação ao benefício que você espera obter. O seu médico pode ajudar você a decidir o momento certo e se parar de fumar antes faz sentido no seu caso.

Conclusão

Se você fuma ou usa nicotina de qualquer forma, vale a pena parar antes da sua cirurgia. Parar de fumar é o único fator de risco que você pode mudar, e quanto antes você parar, melhor. A cirurgia ainda pode funcionar para fumantes, mas o seu corpo tem uma chance melhor de cicatrizar sem a nicotina atrasando o processo. A principal ressalva: a nicotina de qualquer fonte, incluindo sachês e gomas de mascar, também afeta a cicatrização, por isso parar apenas com o tabaco pode não ser suficiente.

Referências

[1] The effect of non-tobacco nicotine on bone healing: a systematic review and application to total joint arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-026-06733-3

[2] Should Smoking Cessation Be Recommended and Required for Patients Undergoing Elective Knee or Hip Arthroplasty?. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.10.035

[3] All Forms of Tobacco Products Adversely Affect Rotator Cuff Healing. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2024. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.24.00192

[4] Poster 132: Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated with Increased Perioperative Complications and Revision Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/2325967125s00229

[5] Association of Smokeless Tobacco Use With Perioperative Complications and Revision Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/03635465241303487

[6] Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Medical and Surgical Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.05.041

[7] Adverse effect of smoking on surgical site infection following ankle and calcaneal fracture fixation: a meta-analysis. EFORT Open Reviews. 2024. DOI: 10.1530/EOR-23-0139

[8] The impact of nicotine dependence on postoperative complications following humeral shaft fracture repair. JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2026.100732

[9] Influence of smoking on shoulder arthroplasty outcomes: A meta-analysis of postoperative complications. Shoulder & Elbow. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/17585732251327368

[10] Editorial Commentary : Tobacco or Not—All Nicotine Products Negatively Impact Rotator Cuff Surgery. Arthroscopy. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/arj.70199

[11] Does timing matter? The effect of preoperative smoking cessation on the risk of infection or revision following rotator cuff repair. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.03.007

[12] The effect of smoking on outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.07.052

[13] Nontobacco Nicotine Dependence and Rates of Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Other Postoperative Complications in Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00706

[14] Nontobacco Nicotine Dependence Is Associated With Perioperative Complications and Repeat Surgery After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Arthroscopy. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/arj.70189

[15] Tobacco's toll: Comparable anterior cruciate ligament graft failure rates and inferior functional outcomes in smokers compared to non‐smokers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ksa.70146

[16] Impact of Smoking Status on Early Outcomes and Healthcare Utilization Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2026.04.018

[17] The Snuffbox: The Effect of Smokeless Tobacco Use on Scaphoid Fracture Healing. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2023. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00188

[18] Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.01.035

[19] Cigarette Smoking Was Not Associated With Lower Odds of Radiographic Fusion After Combined TLIF and Posterolateral Lumbar (270°) Arthrodesis: A CT-based Retrospective Cohort Evaluation. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003844

[20] Editor’s Spotlight/Take 5: Cigarette Smoking Was Not Associated With Lower Odds of Radiographic Fusion After Combined TLIF and Posterolateral Lumbar (270°) Arthrodesis: A CT-based Retrospective Cohort Evaluation. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003999

[21] Non-Tobacco Nicotine Dependence and Rates of Postoperative Complications in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Propensity-Matched Comparison. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-01053

[22] Smoking is an independent risk factor for complications in outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty. JSES International. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2023.07.009

Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Overview

Contemporary techniques and biologic augmentation may mitigate the adverse effects of smoking on radiographic fusion after combined TLIF and posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis [1].
Heated tobacco use has a similar deleterious effect on rotator cuff repair healing as cigarette smoking [2].
Pack-years and duration of cessation serve as independent predictors of tendon healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair [3].
Surgeons should consider asking all patients with scaphoid fractures if they use smokeless tobacco or smoke to identify patients at risk for nonunions [4].
Active smokers are at an increased risk of both medical and surgical complications following elective knee or hip arthroplasty [5].
Patient factors that influence lesser tuberosity osteotomy healing in stemmed and stemless anatomic shoulder arthroplasty include a greater BMI and tobacco use [6].
Heated tobacco users have worse clinical outcomes with respect to rotator cuff healing than nonsmokers, similar to conventional cigarette smokers [7].
Smoking is associated with a higher risk for complications than smokeless tobacco use following total knee arthroplasty [8].
Current smokers may have poorer functional outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty compared to former smokers and nonsmokers, despite no significant differences in the incidence of complications and revision surgery between cohorts [9].
Smokeless tobacco use is associated with increased perioperative complications and revision surgery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [10, 11].
Smoking is associated with higher residual pain and poorer functional outcomes at midterm follow-up after autologous osteochondral transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the talus, despite no significant differences in activity levels based on Tegner scores [12].
Cessation of smoking is highly advised for medial meniscus allograft transplantation and meniscus repair performed in the presence of concurrent ligamentous injury [13].
Smoking is a modifiable risk factor that should be addressed to improve outcomes and reduce the costs associated with complications and joint replacement in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty [14].
Smokeless tobacco use is associated with higher rates of medical- and joint-related complications following primary total hip arthroplasty [15].
Orthopaedic surgeons should consider evaluating non-tobacco nicotine dependence within their surgical optimization protocol for total knee arthroplasty [16].

How It Works

Tobacco use is a patient factor that influences lesser tuberosity osteotomy healing in stemmed and stemless anatomic shoulder arthroplasty [6].
Heated tobacco users have worse clinical outcomes with respect to rotator cuff healing than nonsmokers [7].
Current smokers may have poorer functional outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty compared to former smokers and nonsmokers [9].
Smoking is associated with higher residual pain and poorer functional outcomes at midterm follow-up after autologous osteochondral transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the talus [12].
Cessation of smoking is highly advised for meniscus repair performed in the presence of concurrent ligamentous injury [13].
Smoking is a modifiable risk factor that should be addressed to improve outcomes and reduce costs associated with complications in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty [14].
Cigarette smoking was not associated with impaired radiographic fusion after TLIF with adjunctive posterolateral arthrodesis performed using a standardized technique [17].
Former smokers who quit more than 6 months prior to rotator cuff repair are not at a detectably elevated risk of infection or revision surgery compared with those who have never smoked [18].
Smoking may primarily affect the early recovery trajectory rather than pain-related outcomes alone following primary total knee arthroplasty [19].
Nicotine has a dose-dependent effect on bone healing, bone growth, and implant integration [20].
Nicotine use is a modifiable risk factor in rotator cuff surgery [21].
Smoking has a negative effect on anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty functional outcomes that may persist even after quitting [22].
Nicotine dependence prior to surgical fixation of humeral shaft fractures is associated with a 60-110% increased risk for surgical complications including postoperative infection, wound disruption, nonunion and reoperation [23].
Nontobacco nicotine dependence is associated with higher 90-day rates of wound disruptions, infections, sepsis, as well as increased rates of mechanical loosening and prosthetic joint infection at 2 years postoperatively after shoulder arthroplasty [24].
Smoking is a significant risk factor for surgical site infection following ankle and calcaneal fracture fixation [26].

What the Evidence Shows

Spine and Arthrodesis

Shoulder and Rotator Cuff

Patient factors that influence lesser tuberosity osteotomy healing in anatomic shoulder arthroplasty include a greater BMI and tobacco use [6].
The incidence of complications and revision surgery after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty does not differ significantly between current smokers, former smokers, and nonsmokers [9].
At 2 and 5 years, nontobacco nicotine dependence showed increased odds of subsequent cuff repair and manipulation under anesthesia or debridement versus controls after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair [30].

Knee and Hip Arthroplasty

Smokeless tobacco use is associated with worse outcomes following total knee arthroplasty [8].
Differences in follow-up communication suggest that smoking may primarily affect the early recovery trajectory rather than pain-related outcomes alone following primary total knee arthroplasty [19].

Ligament Reconstruction

Smokeless tobacco use is associated with perioperative complications and revision surgery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [11].
Non-smokers were significantly more likely to achieve superior functional outcomes following ACL reconstruction compared to smokers [28].
Anterior cruciate ligament graft failure rates are comparable between smokers and non-smokers [28].

Fractures and Bone Healing

Cannabis and nicotine use were independently associated with increased postoperative complications following fixation of upper extremity fractures compared with matched non-user controls [29].
Nicotine has a dose-dependent effect on bone healing, bone growth, and implant integration, as demonstrated in various animal and in vitro studies [20].

Cartilage and Meniscus

There are no significant differences in activity levels based on Tegner scores between smokers and non-smokers after autologous osteochondral transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the talus [12].

Practical Considerations

Preoperative Screening and Risk Assessment

Surgeons should ask all patients with scaphoid fractures about smokeless tobacco or smoking use and add this to the intake history to identify patients at risk for nonunions [4].
Specific forms of tobacco use should be considered in preoperative screening for patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [10, 11].
Orthopaedic surgeons should consider evaluating non-tobacco nicotine dependence within their surgical optimization protocol [16].
Smoking is a modifiable risk factor that should be addressed to improve outcomes and reduce costs associated with complications and joint replacement in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty [14].

Cessation Timing and Duration

Impact on Healing and Outcomes

Smoking is associated with higher risk for complications than smokeless tobacco use following total knee arthroplasty [8].
Current smokers may have poorer functional outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty compared to former smokers and nonsmokers, despite no significant differences in the incidence of complications and revision surgery [9].
Patient factors that influence lesser tuberosity healing in stemmed and stemless anatomic shoulder arthroplasty include a greater body mass index and tobacco use [6].
Smoking is an independent risk factor for complications in outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty [27].

Mitigation and Management

Cessation of smoking is highly advised for meniscus repair performed in the presence of concurrent ligamentous injury to reduce factors that may contribute to failure [13].
Current or recent smokers undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty may benefit from an inpatient setting of minimum 2 nights [27].
Nicotine use is a modifiable risk factor, and using research to guide patients on the safest path to recovery is impactful for rotator cuff surgery [21].

Key Evidence

[L3] Contemporary techniques and biologic augmentation may mitigate the adverse effects of smoking in this setting. [1] (10.1097/corr.0000000000003999)
[L4] This novel study shows that heated tobacco use has a similar deleterious effect on rotator cuff repair healing as cigarette smoking. [2] (10.2106/jbjs.24.00192)
[L3] Pack-years and duration of cessation serve as independent predictors of tendon healing. [3] (10.1177/03635465261422620)
[L3] Surgeons should consider asking all patients with scaphoid fractures if they use smokeless tobacco or smoke and consider adding this to the patient's intake history to further identify patients at risk for nonunions. [4] (10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00188)
[L1] The literature reveals that active smokers are at an increased risk of both medical and surgical complications. [5] (10.1016/j.arth.2024.10.035)
[L3] In addition to the surgical technique, patient factors that influence tuberosity healing include a greater BMI and tobacco use. [6] (10.3390/jcm12030834)
[L3] Heated tobacco users, like conventional cigarette smokers, have worse clinical outcomes with respect to rotator cuff healing than nonsmokers. [7] (10.2106/jbjs.23.00804)
[L3] However, smoking is associated with higher risk for complications than smokeless tobacco use. [8] (10.1016/j.arth.2023.01.035)
[L3] Current smokers may have poorer functional outcomes after rTSA compared to former smokers and nonsmokers, despite the incidence of complications and revision surgery not differing significantly between cohorts. [9] (10.1016/j.jse.2024.07.052)
[L3] These findings highlight the importance of considering specific forms of tobacco use in preoperative screening for patients undergoing ACLR. [10] (10.1177/2325967125s00229)
[L3] These findings highlight the importance of considering specific forms of tobacco use in preoperative screening for patients undergoing ACLR. [11] (10.1177/03635465241303487)
[L3] However, smoking is associated with higher residual pain and poorer functional outcomes at midterm follow-up, despite no significant differences in activity levels based on Tegner scores. [12] (10.1186/s13018-025-06428-1)
[L2] Nevertheless, MAT and meniscus repair performed in the presence of concurrent ligamentous injury require reduction of factors that may contribute to failure, and cessation of smoking is highly advised. [13] (10.1530/eor-24-0097)
[L1] Smoking is a modifiable risk factor that should be addressed to improve outcomes and reduce the costs associated with complications and joint replacement in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. [14] (10.1177/17585732251327368)
[L3] Smokeless tobacco use is associated with higher rates of medical- and joint-related complications following primary THA. [15] (10.1016/j.arth.2023.05.041)
[L3] Orthopaedic surgeons should consider evaluating non-tobacco nicotine dependence within their surgical optimization protocol. [16] (10.5435/jaaos-d-23-01053)
[L2] Cigarette smoking was not associated with impaired radiographic fusion after TLIF with adjunctive posterolateral arthrodesis performed using a standardized technique. [17] (10.1097/corr.0000000000003844)
[L3] Former smokers who quit >6 months prior to rotator cuff repair are not at a detectably elevated risk of infection or revision surgery compared with those who have never smoked. [18] (10.1016/j.jse.2023.03.007)
[L3] Differences in follow-up communication suggest that smoking may primarily affect the early recovery trajectory rather than pain-related outcomes alone. [19] (10.1016/j.arth.2026.04.018)
[L2] Nicotine has a dose-dependent effect on bone healing, bone growth, and implant integration, as demonstrated in various animal and in vitro studies. [20] (10.1186/s13018-026-06733-3)
[L5] It highlights that nicotine use is a modifiable risk factor and that using research to guide patients on the safest path to recovery is impactful. [21] (10.1002/arj.70199)
[L3] Smoking has a negative effect on anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty functional outcomes that may persist even after quitting. [22] (10.1302/0301-620x.106b11.bjj-2024-0202.r1)
[L3] Nicotine dependence prior to surgical fixation of humeral shaft fractures is associated with a 60-110% increased risk for surgical complications including postoperative infection, wound disruption, nonunion and reoperation. [23] (10.1016/j.xrrt.2026.100732)
[L3] Nontobacco nicotine dependence is associated with higher 90-day rates of wound disruptions, infections, sepsis, as well as increased rates of mechanical loosening and prosthetic joint infection at 2 years postoperatively after shoulder arthroplasty. [24] (10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00706)
[L1] Smoking is a significant risk factor for surgical site infection following ankle and calcaneal fracture fixation. [26] (10.1530/EOR-23-0139)
[L3] Current or recent smokers may benefit from an inpatient setting of minimum 2 nights. [27] (10.1016/j.jseint.2023.07.009)
[L1] Nonetheless, non-smokers were significantly more likely to achieve superior functional outcomes following ACL reconstruction. [28] (10.1002/ksa.70146)
[L3] Cannabis and nicotine use were independently associated with increased postoperative complications following fixation of upper extremity fractures compared with matched non-user controls. [29] (10.1186/s13018-025-06635-w)
[L3] At 2 and 5 years, NTND showed increased odds of subsequent cuff repair and manipulation under anesthesia or debridement versus controls. [30] (10.1002/arj.70189)

References

[1] Editor’s Spotlight/Take 5: Cigarette Smoking Was Not Associated With Lower Odds of Radiographic Fusion After Combined TLIF and Posterolateral Lumbar (270°) Arthrodesis: A CT-based Retrospective Cohort Evaluation. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003999

[2] All Forms of Tobacco Products Adversely Affect Rotator Cuff Healing. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2024. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.24.00192

[3] Duration of Smoking Cessation Needed to Achieve Retear Rates Comparable to Those of Nonsmokers After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/03635465261422620

[4] The Snuffbox: The Effect of Smokeless Tobacco Use on Scaphoid Fracture Healing. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2023. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-00188

[5] Should Smoking Cessation Be Recommended and Required for Patients Undergoing Elective Knee or Hip Arthroplasty?. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.10.035

[6] Lesser Tuberosity Osteotomy Healing in Stemmed and Stemless Anatomic Shoulder Arthroplasty Is Higher with a Tensionable Construct and Affected by Body Mass Index and Tobacco Use. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030834

[7] Heated Tobacco Products Have Detrimental Effects on Rotator Cuff Healing, Similar to Conventional Cigarettes. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2024. DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.23.00804

[8] Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.01.035

[9] The effect of smoking on outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.07.052

[10] Poster 132: Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated with Increased Perioperative Complications and Revision Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/2325967125s00229

[11] Association of Smokeless Tobacco Use With Perioperative Complications and Revision Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/03635465241303487

[12] Smoking is associated with inferior postoperative outcomes after autologous osteochondral transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the talus: a minimum 5-year clinical follow-up study. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-06428-1

[13] The impact of smoking on meniscus surgery: a systematic review. EFORT Open Reviews. 2025. DOI: 10.1530/eor-24-0097

[14] Influence of smoking on shoulder arthroplasty outcomes: A meta-analysis of postoperative complications. Shoulder & Elbow. 2025. DOI: 10.1177/17585732251327368

[15] Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Medical and Surgical Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.05.041

[16] Non-Tobacco Nicotine Dependence and Rates of Postoperative Complications in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Propensity-Matched Comparison. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-23-01053

[17] Cigarette Smoking Was Not Associated With Lower Odds of Radiographic Fusion After Combined TLIF and Posterolateral Lumbar (270°) Arthrodesis: A CT-based Retrospective Cohort Evaluation. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003844

[18] Does timing matter? The effect of preoperative smoking cessation on the risk of infection or revision following rotator cuff repair. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.03.007

[19] Impact of Smoking Status on Early Outcomes and Healthcare Utilization Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2026.04.018

[20] The effect of non-tobacco nicotine on bone healing: a systematic review and application to total joint arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-026-06733-3

[21] Editorial Commentary : Tobacco or Not—All Nicotine Products Negatively Impact Rotator Cuff Surgery. Arthroscopy. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/arj.70199

[22] The effect of smoking on functional outcomes and implant survival of anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2024. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.106b11.bjj-2024-0202.r1

[23] The impact of nicotine dependence on postoperative complications following humeral shaft fracture repair. JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2026.100732

[24] Nontobacco Nicotine Dependence and Rates of Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Other Postoperative Complications in Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2024. DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00706

[26] Adverse effect of smoking on surgical site infection following ankle and calcaneal fracture fixation: a meta-analysis. EFORT Open Reviews. 2024. DOI: 10.1530/EOR-23-0139

[27] Smoking is an independent risk factor for complications in outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty. JSES International. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2023.07.009

[28] Tobacco's toll: Comparable anterior cruciate ligament graft failure rates and inferior functional outcomes in smokers compared to non‐smokers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/ksa.70146

[29] Cannabis and nicotine use are independently associated with adverse surgical, medical, and psychosocial outcomes following upper extremity fracture fixation. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-025-06635-w

[30] Nontobacco Nicotine Dependence Is Associated With Perioperative Complications and Repeat Surgery After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair. Arthroscopy. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/arj.70189