Nicotine also lessens the benefits of estrogen. Male smokers also are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis because smoking affects the production of bone cells. For the study, the two orthopaedic surgeons conducted a literature review of scientific data on the relationship between smoking and musculoskeletal disease. Each year, more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to smoking.
Tobacco is linked to numerous cancers as well.
It is possible that heart disease, caused by smoking, can initiate low back pain symptoms because the lumbar discs may be malnourished from the lack of adequate blood supply. Smoking may also be an indicator of poor health and lifestyle, which contribute to the development of low back pain. As a result, it is more difficult for smokers to recover from breaking a bone. Cigarette smoking also slows the healing after orthopaedic surgical procedures. For example, it specifically decreases the rate of both healing and success after spinal fusion.