Article ID: 24017
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is one of the most common and serious adverse effects of glucocorticoid use. Pharmacological treatment is strongly recommended for patients at a high risk of fracture；however, it is generally avoided during pregnancy. Here, we present the rehabilitation of a pregnant patient with multiple vertebral fractures caused by glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. A 27-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus had an unplanned pregnancy and began receiving oral glucocorticoid therapy (15 mg/day). Pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis was not recommended during pregnancy. At 31 weeks of gestation, the patient was admitted to our hospital with severe back pain. Plain X-rays showed multiple vertebral fractures. The patient was diagnosed with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. She required prolonged bed rest until birth because of severe pain and high risk of additional fractures. The therapeutic strategy after delivery was shared with the Departments of Rehabilitation, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Rheumatology, and Orthopedic Surgery. At 37 weeks of gestation, she gave birth by cesarean section, and teriparatide administration was started immediately. Six days after delivery, computed tomography showed multiple vertebral fractures from Th5 to L5, and L2-L4 bone mineral density was 0.798 g/cm2, which was 67％ of the young adult mean. She wore a corset and began a rehabilitation program. Frequent consultations were conducted with an orthopedic surgeon, and the patient carefully proceeded with getting out of bed. She gradually regained the ability to sit, stand, and walk. Sixty-three days after delivery, she could walk with a cane and was discharged from our hospital.
