It should be no surprise that I come across many smokers in my clinical practice, especially in Richmond, Virginia, headquarters for Altria/Phillip Morris. The city is an unofficial smoking capital of the world.
Of course, we all know that cigarette smoking is harmful and greatly increases the risk lung cancer, oral cancer, bladder cancer, heart disease and stroke, among other ailments. Like a broken record, I find myself counseling patients with severe bone, joint and wound infections to quit smoking. Most are seemingly unaware that smoking has a significant negative impact on wound and bone healing.
Two very nice reviews on the topic can be read here and here.
In these cases, smoking cessation may be both limb and life sparing.
