Question
A friend of mine had a cervical fusion, she is still having 2-3 cigaretts a day ? Will this effect the fusion?  

Answer
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for your question.

Yes, smoking can affect the fusion. Your friend needs to stop smoking now.

Pseudoarthrosis, which means lack of a solid fusion. There are a number of fusion risks that can adversely create this outcome, including the patient's own health and personal habits.

Here are a number of factors that negatively impact on obtaining a solid fusion following spinal fusion surgery and they include:
1. Smoking  
2. Obesity
3. Osteoporosis
4. Chronic Steroid use
5. Diabetes or other chronic illnesses
6. Prior back surgery or attempted fusion
7. Malnutrition
8. Post-surgery activities

Of all these factors, the one that MOST negatively impacts the fusion rate is smoking. Nicotine has been shown to be a bone toxin and it inhibits the ability of the bone growing cells in the body (osteoblasts) to grow bone. A fusion is basically a race between the bone growing cells and the bone eating cells (osteoclasts). Continuing to smoke after a spine fusion surgery, especially immediately after surgery, favors the bone eating cells and significantly undermines the body's ability to grow the bone needed to create a fusion.

It only makes sense to make a concerted effort to allow the body its best chance possible of allowing the bone to heal by not smoking. If your friend continues to smoke, there's a good chance he/she may need another fusion and, as stated above at number 6, having a previous fusion may have a negative impact on a second fusion.

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie