A Systematic Review of the Management of Upper Extremity Orthopaedic Injuries in Epileptic Patients

Background: During seizures, injury of the upper extremities may occur. Standardized guidelines are deficient for diagnosis and perioperative care.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically screened using predefined search terms.

Results: Of the 59 patients included, 36 (61.0%) involved a posterior shoulder dislocation. Associated fractures were observed in 34 (57.6%) cases with surgical procedures performed in 30 (50.8%) patients. Functional outcomes were reported in 44 patients, with over half (23 of 44, [52.2%]) endorsing range of motion deficits.

Conclusion: Standardized guidelines, to guarantee timely management of injury in post-seizure patients, are needed with a customized treatment approach that accommodates the various aspects of their condition.