Osteoporotic lumbar fractures
Many of these patients have comorbid medical illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes. Often, a period of bed rest can worsen these and other conditions.
Other common complications that can occur during bed rest include pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, skin breakdown, and gastric ulceration.
Prolonged bed rest in an elderly individual can worsen underlying osteoporosis and increase the risk of additional fractures.