Testicular torsion is when the testicle twists out of its normal position in the scrotum. The twisted spermatic cord can cut off blood supply to the affected testicle, resulting in serious injury and even loss of that testicle. If you are experiencing sudden pain in one or both of your groins, immediately seek medical attention to avoid further complications.
What is Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion is a medical condition in which the testicle rotates within the scrotum. This can cause severe pain and other symptoms, and in the worst cases, it may lead to testicular loss or infertility.
Testicular torsion occurs when one of your testicles becomes twisted within its sac (a condition known as “testicular retraction”). When this happens, blood flow to your testicle becomes restricted or cut off entirely—which can have serious consequences if not treated right away.
Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that should be treated right away. If you suspect that you have testicular torsion, seek medical attention immediately.
Causes
Testicular torsion is most common in young men but can occur at any age. The testicle is attached to the groin by a spermatic cord. When this cord twists, it cuts off blood supply to the testicle. Testicular torsion results in a sudden feeling of pain and swelling in one or both testicles that lasts for several hours and then gradually goes away over about 24 hours.
Symptoms
Testicle pain is one of the most common symptoms in patients with testicular torsion. The pain may be felt in the lower abdomen and groin area, which are both located on either side of the trunk. Swelling of the scrotum is another sign that you should take seriously — this can occur when tissues around your testicles become inflamed or injured due to twisting (torsion).
Other symptoms include:
- 1. Difficulty in urinating.
- 2. Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting.
- 3. Low blood pressure.
- 4. Fever and chills (fever).
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Risk factors
The following are risk factors for testicular torsion:
- 1. Age. The condition is most common in newborns but can also occur in older children and adults.
- 2. Family history and genetics. If you have a family history of testicular torsion, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition than others who don’t have this family link. This means that if your father or brother had testicular torsion, you could be more likely to develop it yourself. In addition, if one of your parents or siblings has a genetic mutation linked with testicle problems such as cryptorchidism (undescended testicles), then this may increase your chances of getting testicular torsion later in life too.
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In some cases, testicular torsion can be caused by an inguinal hernia, when abdominal organs push through the groin. This condition is sometimes present at birth and can also develop later in life. It can cause problems with the testicles becoming trapped within the abdomen or scrotum.
Diagnosis
If you think you may have testicular torsion, get to the hospital immediately. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency and must be treated as soon as possible.
Testicular torsion symptoms are pain and swelling in one or both of your testicles. You may also experience nausea and vomiting, which can be a result of the pain or indicate that something else is wrong with your body.
The diagnosis for testicular torsion is made by physical exam and ultrasound, although it’s not always easy to tell if one of your testicles has twisted or not without imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan. An ultrasound reveals whether or not there’s any twisting happening in your scrotum, while CT scans offer more information about internal structures within the scrotum, including blood vessels that could be affected by twisting (and may require surgery).
Treatment
If you suspect your son has testicular torsion, getting him to the hospital as soon as possible is important. The doctor will examine the testicle and feel for a pulse to help determine whether or not his condition is life-threatening. If there is no pulse, surgery is required immediately to prevent permanent damage to the testicle and possibly even death.
Testicular torsion surgery can be done in either an outpatient clinic or as an emergency surgery at a hospital. You will have to sign forms agreeing that you understand what may happen during the procedure and that there are risks involved with having your son undergo this operation.
Prevention
- 1. Wear underwear that fits. There’s a lot of room for error when it comes to selecting the proper size and style of underwear, but one specific thing you can do is make sure that your boxer briefs or boxers aren’t too tight. If they’re too tight, they can put pressure on your testicles and cause them to twist.
- 2. Avoid wearing pants or shorts that are too tight around the crotch area. You should also avoid wearing heavy wallets in the front pocket of your pants because this could also put undue pressure on your testicles (and possibly lead to torsion).
- 3. Avoid sleeping on your stomach if possible: This position puts pressure against all parts of the body, including the groin area, which makes it easier for blood vessels and surrounding structures like lymph nodes to become blocked or constricted, leading to an increased risk factor resulting in testicular torsion happening sooner rather than later!
- 4. Avoid lifting heavy objects: When lifting something heavy, remember do you have to lift it not only straight up but also horizontally as well–this includes groceries (especially milk), large boxes full of new furniture items purchased online from Amazon Prime–anything like those types anything else really where there’s more than just one item being lifted at once (elevation), so please keep these tips here in mind before trying anything else during any other activity aside from working out because doing so may lead one person into making mistakes due both lack experience along with having poor judgement when dealing with tasks being performed by hand instead.
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Testicular torsion is a very painful Condition
It is important to be aware that testicular torsion can cause significant pain. The pain the patient experiences varies widely and may include:
- 1. Sudden or gradual onset of pain (often described as an intense “cramp” in the scrotum)
- 2. Intermittent or constant ache in the affected testicle and scrotum
- 3. Sharp or dull ache in either one or both testicles, which can radiate down into your groin area and lower abdomen
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Conclusion
Testicular torsion is a medical condition that occurs when the testicle becomes twisted in the scrotum. It can be caused by trauma, but most often, it is an unknown cause. In any case, it should be treated as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is testicular torsion?
Testicular torsion is a medical condition that occurs when the testicle becomes twisted in the scrotum. It can be caused by trauma, but most often, it is an unknown cause. In any case, it should be treated as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
What are the symptoms of testicular torsion?
The symptoms of testicular torsion include a sudden onset of pain, swelling and nausea. The pain is usually described as being severe and sudden.
What causes testicular torsion?
Testicular torsion is caused by a twisting of the testicle in the scrotum, usually due to an injury or trauma.
How is testicular torsion treated?
Testicular torsion is treated with surgery to untwist the testicle. It is important to note that testicular torsion can lead to infertility or even death if left untreated.
When should I see a doctor about my scrotum pain?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner testicular torsion is diagnosed, the better your chances of recovery.
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