A kidney contusion, also known as a kidney bruise, may be caused by a direct blow to the lower back or severe trauma. Typically, it is due to a car accident or a sports-related injury. The damage might result in deadly internal bleeding of the kidney. Additionally, it might cause skin discoloration, sensitivity, and pain.
The back and rib cage muscles protect the kidneys. The surrounding muscles and bones may also be affected if a kidney is injured. A kidney contusion is considered a serious injury. If treatment is not sought, there may be severe health implications, including, in some cases, death.
In this post, let’s explore everything about bruised kidney, from causes to diagnosis and treatment. This post also sheds light on bruised kidney symptoms and bruised kidney recovery time.
Bruised Kidney: Pathophysiology and Causes
Accidents involving motor vehicle falls, and sports injuries are the leading causes of kidney damage. Crushing of the organ against the paravertebral muscles and rapid deceleration forces cause direct damage. The rapid deceleration can result in an avulsion at the ureter-pelvis junction, an avulsion of the renal arteries, arterial dissection, or thrombosis, all of which can lead to renal hematoma.
The majority of kidney injuries result from blunt force trauma or overexertion. Kidney trauma occurs more frequently in individuals who engage in prolonged and strenuous physical activity, such as military recruits and marathon runners.
The kidneys are protected by the muscles in the back and the bones in your rib cage. However, two types of trauma can produce injuries: blunt and penetrating.
Blunt trauma refers to injuries when an object strikes the body without breaking the skin. Penetrating trauma is an injury caused by an object probing the skin and entering the body.
If a kidney is injured, it may not function as well as it should. It is crucial to be aware of kidney injury’s danger and seek immediate medical attention if this occurs.
Bruised Kidney Symptoms
Depending on the severity of the damage to the kidney, there may be no, extremely moderate, or severe symptoms. When a person is injured severely enough to damage their kidneys, they may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach or flank discomfort, bruising, and low blood pressure due to excessive blood loss. If an individual is injured while exercising, they may exhibit no bruised kidney symptoms or have blood or excess protein in their urine.
Nonetheless, bloody urine (hematuria), abdominal pain, flank pain, i.e., pain in the region between ribs and hips, and swelling are all the signs and symptoms associated with kidney contusion.
Bruised Kidney: Diagnosis and Evaluation
A simple urine dipstick test can detect microscopic hematuria. It is also crucial to conduct imaging examinations. These will confirm the diagnosis and inform the physician of the severity of the injury.
Other important diagnostic approaches include:
Tomography
The most precise method for determining whether the kidneys have been damaged is to perform a computed tomography (CT) scan while the patient is receiving intravenous (IV) contrast. A CT scan comprises many x-ray images pieced together to display “slices” of various body parts. As the contrast dye passes through the blood and kidneys, it facilitates damage diagnosis.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is performed to determine if the kidneys are injured. An ultrasound creates images by transmitting sound waves through the body and observing how they interact with various tissues.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
It is a method that employs x-rays to trace the route of dye through the urinary system. IVP can demonstrate how the kidneys function. The dye will be administered through injection into a vein in the arm.
Treatment Options and Bruised Kidney Recovery Time
The treatment will depend on the severity of the patient’s illness, the severity of the kidney injury, and the presence or absence of accompanying illnesses.
If the patient is stable and no other organs have been damaged, the bruised kidney may not require surgical treatment. The individual will remain hospitalized until there are no traces of blood in the urine. After being discharged from the hospital, the patient should be examined for indicators of kidney injury, such as severe bleeding or high blood pressure.
A patient who is unstable and hemorrhaging heavily from the kidney can nonetheless undergo surgery. The operation will restore the injured kidney and preserve its functionality.
The majority of kidney injuries can now be treated without the need for surgery. Several severe diseases can be treated with less invasive techniques. Angiographic embolization is one of the available methods. Surgeons can stop bleeding by accessing the kidneys’ arteries through the groin’s major blood channels.
A kidney contusion is a significant injury that usually requires immediate medical attention. Depending on the incident’s severity, the bruise can heal in up to two weeks. Kidney injuries can worsen and lead to internal bleeding, even if only subtle symptoms are evident.
If you sustained back or stomach injuries in an accident, you should discuss the health of your kidneys with your doctor. Even though kidney bruises can heal on their own, it is essential to have a doctor examine them to ensure that nothing else is wrong.
Conclusion
Kidney bruises can be caused by blunt or penetrating trauma. Accidents, such as falling off a bicycle, and contact sports, such as football, hockey, and boxing, are the leading causes of a bruised kidney. Since the kidneys are essential for many body functions, any injury can negatively impact your overall health and well-being.
Obtaining the proper therapy for a kidney contusion is crucial. Angioembolization and supportive care are two non-surgical treatment options. In more severe cases of kidney damage, surgery may be required to repair the kidney. How quickly a person with a kidney injury recovers depends on the severity of the injury, the presence of comorbidities, and the chosen treatment.
To effectively treat a kidney contusion, you must see a doctor immediately. You should consult a physician as soon as you suspect you may have a kidney contusion.
Your kidneys may not properly function if they are wounded. It can impact blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte levels. Therefore, if you sustain an injury in this region, you must consult a doctor immediately to ensure normal healing and function.
Frequently, kidney disease is not diagnosed until the symptoms are severe. If you have a complete kidney ultrasound as part of your routine examination, you and your doctor will be better equipped to determine what may be causing renal difficulties.
HG Analytics provides a comprehensive ultrasound of the kidneys, which is necessary for diagnosing renal diseases. It is suitable for assessing the anatomy and function of the kidney since it gives real-time images of the kidneys.
The diagnosis of undetected renal anomalies is a major advantage of receiving kidney ultrasonography at HG Analytics. It helps monitor several kidney features to establish early diagnosis and prevent serious complications associated with bruised kidneys or other renal issues.
So, book your appointment for a thorough screening to assess the health of your kidneys.
