Smoking and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Journal article

We sought to determine whether smoking affected the outcome of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. We analysed the results of 66 smokers (group 1 with a mean follow-up of 5.67 years (1.1 to 12.7)) and 238 non-smokers (group 2 with a mean follow-up of 6.61 years (1.2 to 11.5)), who were statistically similar in age, gender, graft type, fixation and associated meniscal and chondral pathology. The assessment was performed using the International Knee Documentation Committee form and serial cruciometer readings. Poor outcomes were reported in group 1 for the mean subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score (p < 0.001), the frequency (p = 0.005) and intensity (p = 0.005) of pain, a side-to-side difference in knee laxity (p = 0.001) and the use of a four-strand hamstring graft (p = 0.015). Patients in group 1 were also less likely to return to their original level of pre-injury sport (p = 0.003) and had an overall worse final 7 International Knee Documentation Committee grade score (p = 0.007). Despite the well-known negative effects of smoking on tissue healing, the association with an inferior outcome after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament has not previously been described and should be included in the pre-operative counselling of patients undergoing the procedure.

Authors: Karim, A; Pandit, H; Murray, J; Wandless, F; Thomas, N

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume
• Volume: 88
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1027-1031
• Publication date: 2006-08-01
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.88b8.17189
• ISSN: 0301-620X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Wound Healing; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Adult; Knee Joint; Exercise; Treatment Outcome; Female; Smoking; Cohort Studies; Muscle, Skeletal; Male; Humans; Adolescent; Knee Injuries; Joint Instability; Leg