BLADDER OR URETHRA INJURY |
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General Information
DEFINITION--Damage to the urinary bladder (the organ that stores urine manufactured by the kidneys) or the urethra (the tube through which urine travels from the bladder to the outside).
BODY PARTS INVOLVED
Bladder.
Urethra.
Muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue of the pelvic floor.
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SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Severe abdominal pain and tenderness over the bladder.
Shock (sweating; faintness; nausea; panting; rapid pulse; pale, cold, moist skin).
Bloody discharge from the urethra or blood in the urine.
CAUSESFracture of a pelvic bone that punctures or bruises the bladder or urethra (usually).
RISK INCREASES WITH
Contact sports such as football, rugby, soccer or hockey.
Full bladder during sports activities.
Repeated injury to the lower pelvis.
HOW TO PREVENT
Wear adequate protective equipment.
Keep bladder empty during exercise or competitive sports.
WHAT TO EXPECT
APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
Doctor's treatment.
Hospitalization or emergency-room care.
Surgery (usually) to repair a punctured bladder. A damaged urethra may heal without surgery.
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory urine studies.
X-rays of the urinary tract.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Internal bleeding.
Rupture of the bladder (rare).
Urine leakage into the abdomen, causing abdominal inflammation or infection.
Recurrent infections from scars in the urethra that narrow the urinary passage.
PROBABLE OUTCOMEA punctured bladder or urethra requires emergency hospital treatment. Most bladder and urethra injuries heal completely with bed rest, time, supportive treatment or surgery.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
FIRST AID
Keep the person warm with blankets to decrease the possibility of shock.
Immobilize the person on a stretcher or spineboard.
Elevate the lower extremities with pillows or blocks.
Take the patient to the nearest emergency facility.
CONTINUING CARENo specific instructions except those under other headings. If surgery is required, your surgeon will supply postoperative instructions.
MEDICATIONYour doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
ACTIVITYStay as active as your strength allows. Allow 1 month for recovery. Don't return to work, exercise, competitive sports, or resume sexual relations until healing is complete.
DIET
No food or water before surgery.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid daily.
Don't drink alcohol.
During recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.
REHABILITATIONRehabilitation exercises must be individualized. Follow your doctor's or surgeon's directions.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have any symptoms of bladder or urethra injury.
During or after treatment, you develop chills and fever of 101F (38.3C) or higher.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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