Leveling the Field between Injured Iowans and Insurance Companies.

Smoking Irritating Cervical Spinal Fusion Recovery After Des Moines Work Injury

If you have sustained a Des Moines work injury that caused damage to your vertebrae in your neck, spinal cervical fusion may be required. This surgery fuses 2 adjacent vertebrae in your neck to heal any fractures and prevent spinal cord damage. Recovering from cervical spinal fusion may take a number of months.

Something many people don't realize is that smoking impacts recovery after a cervical spinal fusion. The nicotine in cigarettes acts as a poison in the bone and may inhibit proper fusion.

A study was conducted to determine how well bone fuses together after spinal fusion surgery. The lowest failure rate came from nonsmokers at 14%, while individuals who quit smoking for at least 6 months after their surgery had the next-lowest failure rate at 17%, and individuals who continued to smoke exhibited inhibited fusion of the bone 26% of the time.

Putting effort into recovery after a cervical spinal fusion can produce better results. By quitting smoking after your surgery, you can increase your chances of successful bone fusion, allowing you get back to your normal life.

Sustaining an injury in the workplace can lead to many financial losses. By filing an Iowa Workers' Compensation claim, you may receive benefits for your cervical spinal fusion as well as lost income. 

Contacting an Iowa Workers' Compensation Attorney

An Iowa Workers Compensation attorney can help you file a claim to receive benefits for your Des Moines work injury. The Iowa Workers' Compensation attorney team at Walker, Billingsley & Bair know the importance of protecting your work injury claim from the get-go. Learn more by ordering this FREE book; Iowa Workers' Compensation - An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work by calling 1-800-707-2552. For immediate assistance or to schedule a consultation, call 1-515-440-2852.