Urologic Problems You Should Not Ignore This School Year
Monday, July 14th, 2008Your son hurts himself “down there” while playing on the see-saw, your daughter doesn’t want to attend a sleepover because she wets the bed, or your child wets his or her pants at school and needs a change of clothes. An injury is certainly frightening, and “accidents” can cause children embarrassment and distress. The American Urological Association (AUA) has experts available to talk about these important urologic conditions parents may face this school year.
Testicular Injury (Torsion)
If your son complains of sudden and severe testicular pain and swelling on one side, he may have testicular torsion - a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. While very rare, testicular torsion can be very serious if not treated promptly. Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord (a cord by which a testis is suspended in the scrotum) gets twisted, resulting in a decrease in blood supply to the testicle and surrounding structures. Torsion can result from scrotal trauma (that see-saw injury) or strenuous exercise, but sometimes there is no obvious cause. Any sudden onset of severe testicular pain is a cause for concern and careful monitoring.
Impaired blood flow to the testicle can lead to tissue death and result in a non-functioning testicle that could become infected and ultimately require surgical removal. Take your son to the emergency room immediately if he complains of sudden and severe testicular pain with swelling on one side.
