Smoking is not just harmful to your heart and lungs. It can also affect how well your body recovers after joint replacement surgery. Nicotine from smoking or vaping can weaken bone health, slow the healing process, and make it harder for your body to recover fully. If you are preparing for or recovering from joint replacement, quitting can make a real difference in your recovery. With the Great American Smokeout this month, it is the perfect time to take a break from nicotine and give your body the best chance to heal strong.
How Smoking Affects Healing After Joint Replacement
Nicotine and other harmful chemicals in cigarettes reduce blood flow to bones and soft tissues. This limits oxygen and nutrient delivery, which are essential for healing surgical wounds and bone integration around the implant. Studies have shown that smokers experience delayed wound healing, higher rates of infection, and increased risk of implant loosening or failure after knee and hip replacements.
Smoking also weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off bacteria that may enter during or after surgery. Additionally, carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke can lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream, further compromising tissue repair.
Comparing Recovery Rates: Smokers vs. Non-Smokers
Clinical research consistently demonstrates that non-smokers recover faster and experience fewer complications than smokers following joint replacement.1 Non-smokers typically show:
- Lower infection rates and fewer wound complications.
- Better bone healing, leading to longer implant survival.
- Faster rehabilitation, allowing earlier return to daily activities.
By contrast, smokers are more likely to require revisions or repeat surgeries due to complications like implant loosening or poor bone integration.2 In one study, smokers had nearly twice the risk of wound complications compared to non-smokers.3
Why Quitting Smoking Before Surgery Matters
If you are a smoker, the good news is the body starts to recover from the harmful effects of smoking within weeks of quitting. Even stopping four to six weeks before joint replacement can significantly improve blood circulation and oxygenation, reducing postoperative risks.
A pre-surgery smoking cessation plan, which may include counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or support groups can be helpful. Besides improving healing, quitting smoking can enhance overall health, lung function, and quality of life long after the operation.
Whether you are preparing for hip or knee replacement, creating the best environment for healing is essential to a successful outcome. For those who smoke or vape, even a temporary break from nicotine can improve recovery, lower the risk of complications, and support the long-term success of your implant. Recovery is more than healing. It is a chance to strengthen your health and build lasting wellness for the future.
AUTHOR: Dr. Paul Jacob is a certified master surgeon in joint replacement and robotic joint replacement of the hip and knee at the Oklahoma Joint Reconstruction Institute. Dr. Jacob is recognized as one of the Top 3 Orthopedic Surgeons in Oklahoma, who has performed over 7000 robotic joint replacement procedures. Dr. Jacob is active in numerous research studies on joint replacement technology and robotic outcomes.
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