New Year’s Resolutions

T he fact that we are 2 months into the new year means that most of our new year's resolutions have been challenged, leading to renewed efforts or abandonment of those idealistic intentions. Those annual efforts are usually strengthened by compliments or some recognition from family and friends. Many of these yearly efforts involve lifestyle changes brought about by the recognition of our own state of medical affairs. As we age, our own mortality seems more and more obvious as our bodies accumulate the evidence of our exercise, diet, and health maintenance habits or lack thereof. One of the habits that many people struggle with and often try to terminate is smoking. Many baby boomers were lured into tobacco use in an era that glamorized the status of cigarette smoking and the pleasures of tobacco through television, billboard, newspaper, and magazine advertising. Thankfully, medical researchers have recognized many of the ill effects of smoking, leading to public recognition of the dangers and eventually to a declining number of lung cancers and coronary artery disasters. Unfortunately, states such as Michigan took far too long to recognize these evils by delaying a smoking ban in public places until 2010. Even North Carolina—which produces over half the nation's tobacco and is the headquarters of RJ Reynolds Co and Lorillard Inc—banned smoking in bars and restaurants in 2009. Finally, the risks of secondhand smoke will be lessened as the clouds of smoke clear from many public venues. For those smokers who kick the habit, there may be an improvement in their shoulder pain and function. Yes, less shoulder pain! This potential benefit is suggested in an article that appears in this edition of Sports Health. Kane et al 1 — from the Atlanta Medical Center and the University of Missouri Department of Orthopaedic Surgery—provide interesting insight into the cause of shoulder pain, through their online survey study. Though far from perfect (as noted in their limitation section), this pilot study, which uses 3 shoulder health questionnaires, suggests some interesting associations: Smoking, elevated cholesterol, and obesity all increase the chances of encountering poor shoulder function and pain. Because the study population is comparatively small, does not include a control group, and is subject to selection bias (as the authors correctly noted), these results are only preliminary with further investigation warranted. But these associations are certainly thought provoking and interesting. It is no secret that smoking …