Balance disorders and falls in epilepsy

Abstract

Many patients with epilepsy report poor balance, however, limited studies of falls and balance in patients with epilepsy are available. Patients with epilepsy also have an increased fracture risk. The reasons for this association are likely multifactorial, and are likely to include fractures sustained during seizures, either due to biomechanics of seizures or falls, balance impairment potentially due to underlying neurological disorders, anti-epileptic medication toxicity or poly-pharmacy, leading to falls at other times, and in some patients, an impairment in bone quality or density leading to an increased risk of fractures from a fall. Falls may also result in other injuries. Falls risk assessment, and where indicated balance assessment or balance retraining should be considered in patients with epilepsy.