Patients can be diagnosed with neuropathy after damage to their nerves, such as from diabetes or chemotherapy. One form of neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, results from damage to the peripheral nervous system, which controls sensory, motor and autonomic nerves. Peripheral neuropathy also results in balance problems, due to sensation problems, limited mobility and resulting foot disorders.
Damage to the Sensory Nerves
The sensory nerves in the peripheral nervous system are responsible for detecting different sensations, like pressure and pain, and sending them to the brain for the muscles to act in response. With neuropathy, the patient's sensory nerves can be damaged, causing the patient to have problems feeling any sensation changes. The Mayo Clinic states that the patient can have numbness and tingling in her feet, which can spread up her legs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) adds that the lack of sensation can result in problems determining joint position, which can lead to coordination difficulties.
Damage to the Motor Nerves
Balance problems from neuropathy can also be caused by damage to the motor nerves. The NIH states that if the motor nerves in the legs are injured, the patient can have problems moving his limbs, which includes paralysis and lack of muscle control. The patient may also have difficulties holding himself up, and may fall. The Mayo Clinic adds that weakness in the legs can also occur.
Foot Problems
Patients who develop peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes have balance problems from secondary foot problems; these complications include foot ulcerations, partial foot amputation and trans-tibial amputations. The authors note that these foot problems exacerbate balance issues already caused by sensory or motor nerve damage.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Peripheral Neuropathy---Symptoms
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Peripheral Neuropathy
- Clinical Biomechanics; Investigation of standing balance in patients with diabetic neuropathy at different stages of foot complications; RV Kanade, RW Van Deursen, KG Harding, PE Price; November 2008
