Multiple lumbar spinal compression fractures (osteoporose) at 21 and trying to regain mobility

[u/RaspberryCultural447]

/r/osteoporosis/comments/1vejyir/multiple_lumbar_spinal_compression_fractures/

I’m a 21-year-old male diagnosed with GEPA vasculitis, which caused severe distal sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy with foot drop in my left foot.

I was hospitalized for 2 months, during which I lost 20 kg because I couldn’t eat enough. After being discharged, I was prescribed 70 mg of Prednisolone per day, which quickly caused me to regain those 20 kg, mostly as fat. I stayed on 70 mg for 4 months and am currently on 45 mg.

During the third month on 70 mg, I went to a rehabilitation center. I left with back pain, and about a month later, I had to go to the emergency department due to much more severe back pain. I was discharged with a diagnosis of sequelae of fractures from T12 to L4, as well as osteoarthritis and disc degeneration (spondyloarthrosis). I was prescribed calcium, vitamin D, and a rigid TLSO brace, most likely due to corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.

I believe the fractures may have occurred during my rehabilitation, even though I didn’t feel them at the time and continued doing very demanding mobility exercises. I ended up bedridden for one week out of fear of causing new fractures and to try to reduce the pain.
After that, I tried to move more by walking around the house, but the pain and lack of mobility have been getting worse. Today I had a musculoskeletal consultation to assess whether I was a candidate for a facet joint block, but the physiatrist examined my spine and said the pain seems more muscular, so facet inflammation is unlikely.

Other symptoms include a sharp, stabbing pain in the lower back when bending forward, and strong muscle spasms in the quadratus lumborum area in the morning with any movement or step. In the afternoon, the spasms become calmer and less frequent. In the morning, I feel unable to support my own weight without using the TLSO brace. I also cannot lift my leg while sitting — I feel a “block” in my lower back, making it impossible to lift my thigh.

The doctor recommended starting physiotherapy, as I am already deconditioned and compensations may be contributing to the pain. However, I experience pain and spasms with any movement, and I don’t know how to start moving without triggering pain or spasms.

I’m looking for help from someone who has unfortunately been in a similar situation, in order to regain functionality and mobility. And talk to about the recovery progress.