Torsion of the testicle indicates the event in which the testicle rotates twisting the spermatic cord that carries blood from the abdomen to the groin. Although it is an accident that can affect any man, young adolescents and individuals who have inherited a genetic trait where the gonads rotate freely within the scrotum are particularly prone to it. Testicular torsion must be treated by a doctor to minimize the risk of losing the testicle and having fertility problems. However, if you are in nature or in a remote area and suffer from this disorder, by assessing the situation and immobilizing the area on your way to a hospital, you can save the testicle.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Reduce Discomfort and Rotation
Step 1. Identify the symptoms
Maybe you have had a problem like this in the past or maybe this is your first time suffering from testicular torsion. By quickly recognizing the signs and going to the doctor, you can reduce the risk of one of the serious consequences, such as loss of the testicle. Symptoms and signs of a testicular torsion are:
- Sudden and severe pain in the scrotum
- Swelling of the scrotum
- Abdominal pain;
- Nausea and vomit;
- Gonad higher than normal;
- Abnormal tilt of the testicle
- Painful urination
- Fever.
Step 2. Get help immediately
If you experience any of the signs of testicular torsion, it is vital to call an ambulance right away, as you only have 6-8 hours before the gonad starts to damage. this way you reduce the risk of permanent harm or not being able to have children.
- Check if you or another person has cellular coverage. When you are in a wild and isolated area, it could be a problem; it might be useful to go to the highest visible point.
- If no one has a working cell phone, look for the nearest shelter or park guard station. These places often have a satellite phone and medical equipment available that can give you some comfort while you wait for helpers to arrive.
- Testicular torsion must be managed by medical personnel and sometimes surgery is essential; it is therefore of vital importance to promptly contact the emergency services.
Step 3. Take some pain relievers
This disorder usually creates a lot of pain; an over-the-counter pain reliever helps you manage it until you can see a doctor and get treatment.
- Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium.
- Ibuprofen or naproxen also act on swelling.
Step 4. Immobilize the testicle
The gonads can be twisted when they are not firmly fixed in the scrotum; locking it close to the body until you reach a hospital prevents the testicle from rotating further.
- Wrap a cloth or other tissue around the affected area and then somehow secure the cloth to the body to ensure stability of the scrotum.
- In this way, the testicle remains safe and almost immobilized thereby relieving pain while walking or sitting.
Step 5. Rest as much as possible
Vigorous movement or activity can cause twisting, while rest minimizes the chances of the situation getting worse.
Before you go to the shelter, park guard station, or other safe place, rest for a while and try to calm down
Step 6. Reduce movement
If you have to walk to get to a safe place, do it as slowly as possible to limit the risk of the testicle spinning even more and to control discomfort.
- Walk a mostly flat path and pay attention to every step you take.
- If you are in the company of other people, ask them to support you as you walk.
Step 7. Drink only as much as necessary
Excessive amounts of fluid increase pressure on the bladder and genital area, and urination may be painful; take only the necessary fluids so as not to worsen the situation and the suffering.
If you are taking painkillers, sip only the amount of water it takes to get the pill to absorb the body
Step 8. Try to perform a maneuver to free the testicle
If you cannot get medical attention quickly and are in a remote area, consider rotating the gonad in the opposite direction to return it to its original position. however, be aware that this is a rather painful and risk-free procedure.
- Support the testicle with your hands, as if you were holding a book.
- Rotate it from the midline of the body outwards; perform a movement similar to the one you would use to open a book.
- If the maneuver is too painful or you experience symptoms such as vomiting or fainting, stop it immediately.
- Manual repositioning of the testicle is no substitute for proper medical care.
- If the procedure is successful, you should feel an improvement in pain and a lowering of the testicle in the scrotum.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Testicular Torsion
Step 1. Be aware of the level of risk
Knowing the odds of getting into this accident allows you to prevent it. Although in some cases the cause is not at all clear, the risk factors that make the torsion more common are:
- Age - torsion is more common in infants and children at the onset of puberty;
- Defects of the connective tissue of the scrotum;
- Injuries to the scrotum;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Previous testicular torsions.
Step 2. Protect the testicles
The torsion is sometimes subsequent to minor trauma or can even occur in sleep. By protecting the genitals with a jockstrap and a shell or containment underwear, you can minimize the chances of suffering from them.
- Wear the jockstrap and hard protector whenever you play a contact sport, such as football or rugby.
- Wear tight-fitting briefs or trunks to support your testicles and prevent them from twisting.
- Keep your underwear on while you sleep.
Step 3. Avoid exercising too vigorously
Exercise or other very strenuous activities can trigger twisting; in particular, do not perform those exercises that induce abnormal movement of the scrotum.
- If you are a runner or do a lot of running sports, consider wearing more supportive underwear to reduce the risks.
- Be aware that general physical activity does not cause this problem and twisting can also occur when sitting, standing, sleeping or exercising. One of the typical situations is in fact a sudden awakening in the middle of the night or early in the morning due to groin pain.
Step 4. Regulate your body temperature
Extreme cold increases the chances of this accident; by keeping the body and scrotum at normal temperature you can prevent the testicles from rotating on themselves.
- Avoid sitting on cold surfaces, especially in winter; you should avoid all those that do not conduct heat, such as stone or stones.
- If you are in nature during the cold months, wear protective clothing to prevent the temperature of the testicles from getting too low; wear tight pants and briefs that keep the scrotum close to the body.
Step 5. Undergo a surgical fixation procedure
In many cases, the twisting can be avoided thanks to an intervention; if you know you are at risk or have had a twist in the past, discuss this with your doctor.
- The procedure, which requires a period of hospitalization, involves fixing both sides of the testicles inside the scrotum.
- Go to a urologist, who specializes in male genitalia, to discuss the various possibilities.
Advice
Testicular torsion is more common among adolescents between the ages of 10 and 25
Warnings
- It is vital to seek immediate medical attention; the sooner you visit, the faster you get treatment minimizing the risk of serious problems.
- By reaching a medical center within six hours and undergoing treatments, you have a 90% chance of saving the injured testicle; after this time the odds drop by 40%.
