How does chronic systemic corticosteroid use influence physical therapy management?

How does chronic systemic corticosteroid use influence physical therapy management?

• A. Increases risk of osteoporosis and slows tissue healing; adjust loading.
• B. Increases risk of osteoporosis, tendon weakness/rupture, infection, and slower tissue healing; modify loading and monitor bone health.
• C. Decreases infection risk and speeds healing; increase loading.
• D. Only increases energy levels.

Answer: (B)

Chronic systemic corticosteroid use affects bones, tendons, and the immune system, so physical therapy must be planned with those risks in mind. The steroids accelerate bone loss, increasing osteoporosis and fracture risk during any loading or activity that stresses bones. They also weaken tendons and other connective tissues, raising the chance of tendon weakness or rupture if loading is too aggressive or rapid. In addition, the immune-suppressing effects can slow tissue healing and raise infection risk, meaning wound or surgical healing may take longer and needs careful monitoring. Because of all these factors, the rehab approach should modify loading—start low, progress gradually, and avoid high-impact or aggressive tendon loading—and pay close attention to bone health status, using safe, controlled exercises while coordinating with the medical team to monitor bone density and healing.

Chronic systemic corticosteroid use affects bones, tendons, and the immune system, so physical therapy must be planned with those risks in mind. The steroids accelerate bone loss, increasing osteoporosis and fracture risk during any loading or activity that stresses bones. They also weaken tendons and other connective tissues, raising the chance of tendon weakness or rupture if loading is too aggressive or rapid. In addition, the immune-suppressing effects can slow tissue healing and raise infection risk, meaning wound or surgical healing may take longer and needs careful monitoring. Because of all these factors, the rehab approach should modify loading—start low, progress gradually, and avoid high-impact or aggressive tendon loading—and pay close attention to bone health status, using safe, controlled exercises while coordinating with the medical team to monitor bone density and healing.