Testicular Torsion

If you are a male aged under 25 and experience severe pain in the male genital area, you might be suffering from Testicular Torsion.

Testicular Torsion is an emergency condition affecting the genitourinary tract of adolescent males. It can be very painful and if neglected, it may lead to adverse complications like the removal of the testicles. If a young male experience such testicular torsion symptoms, he must immediately get a urology doctor consultation done without delay.

What is Testicular Torsion?

Every normal and healthy male has 2 testicles which are housed inside a scrotum. The spermatic cord is a cord that carries blood to the testicles. Sometimes, this spermatic cord gets twisted due to rotation. This cuts off the blood supply to the testicles causing severe pain and swelling. This emergency clinical condition is called testicular torsion and it must be treated immediately at a urology specialty clinic.

Is testicular torsion dangerous?

Testicular torsion is a critical condition which must be addressed with an immediate consultation at a urology specialty clinic. The twisting of the testicular torsion can be between 180˚ to 720˚. The degree of twisting decides the extent of damage to the testicles. The amount of damage caused to the testicles varies also on the time elapsed between experiencing the testicular torsion symptoms to the beginning of the testicular torsion treatment. If the patient is admitted within 4-6 hour of experiencing the testicular torsion symptoms, the chance of saving his testicles can be 90%. After 12 hours, this drops down to 12% and further lessen to 10% after 24 hours. So sooner the patient gets a urology doctor consultation, the better. Otherwise, the loss of the testicles cannot be prevented.

Why does testicular torsion occur?

Testicular torsion occurs in male due to a congenital defect called "bell clapper deformity". Due to this deformity, testicles move freely within the scrotum. This may cause the spermatic cord to get twisted, causing testicular torsion. This condition may exist even before birth or develops at any age until 25. Testicular torsion can develop suddenly after rigorous activity or even while sleeping. An injury to the scrotum may also cause this torsion to the testicles. Whatever be the cause, immediate surgery may be required and it must be done only at an expert urology specialty clinic.

Testicular torsion symptoms

A male who exhibits the following testicular torsion symptoms is bound to have persistent, nagging pain in the scrotum. Lasting relief can be obtained only after a urology doctor consultation. He might also suffer from:
  • Swelling of the scrotum on one side
  • One testicle at a higher position than the other.
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Frequent urination
On encountering these symptoms, the patient must immediately contact a reliable urology specialty clinic where urine and blood tests are taken along with an ultrasound scan to determine the exact nature of the testicular condition.

Testicular torsion treatment

Testicular torsion treatment usually requires surgery. This is done in order to untwist the spermatic cord. In some cases, surgery is done to attach the testicles to the scrotum. This prevents the recurrence of testicular torsion.

Surgery for testicular torsion treatment does not require overnight hospitalization. It can be done under general anesthesia at an expert urology specialty clinic. The urologist makes an incision in the scrotum to untwist the spermatic cord and then stitches the testicles to the scrotum on the inside. The scrotum is finally stitched up and the patient can be discharged after 2 hours.

This simple surgery for testicular torsion treatment takes just 45 minutes when it is done at a professional urology specialty clinic. After surgery, there is minimal pain, but this is quite less when compared to the pain experienced during testicular torsion. The patient must avoid rigorous activities like sports, sex or masturbation and rest after surgery. If a testicle is removed, a new prosthetic one can be placed a few months after surgery. Males can gain lasting relief from testicular torsion pain and can still father children with one testicle.

Testicular torsion can cause excruciating pain if ignored. A urology doctor consultation is a must to undergo the right treatment to get lasting relief and resume a normal and healthy life.

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