Bruised Spleen

What is a bruised spleen?

A bruised spleen is an injury to the spleen. The spleen is an organ in the left upper part of your abdomen. It filters bacteria from the blood, stores blood cells, and recycles old blood cells. It helps your body fight infection. The spleen also helps keep the number of blood cells and the amount of circulating blood in balance. A severe bruise to the spleen is called a contusion of the spleen.

The spleen is the organ most often injured by abdominal trauma. When you have a possible spleen injury, it is important to get checked to make sure that the spleen has not ruptured (torn). Rupture of the spleen can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

How does it occur?

Usually the spleen gets bruised by an injury to the abdomen. This can happen, for example, in a car accident. Some of the other ways it can happen are from a hit in the stomach during a fight or contact sport such as football, or by falling from a height.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a bruised spleen include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• turning pale
• fast heart rate
• pain and tenderness in the left upper abdomen
• pain that moves up to your left shoulder.

How is it diagnosed?

If you have a severe injury to your abdomen (belly), you should see your healthcare provider or go to an emergency room or urgent care facility. Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and how you were injured and will examine you. Tests you may have include:

• ultrasound or CT scan
• blood tests to check for signs of bleeding inside your belly.

How is it treated?

If the physical exam and tests show no sign of any injury other than contusion, the treatment is usually rest and careful observation. You may be admitted to the hospital to have your vital signs (temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure) monitored.

You may need surgery if:

• You also have significant bleeding in your abdomen.
• You have signs of blood loss or low blood pressure.

Sometimes a ruptured spleen leaks blood slowly and it takes time for the signs of blood loss to develop, such as a change in your lab test results or symptoms, such as lightheadedness. Because of the dangers of blood loss from a ruptured spleen, exploratory surgery may have to be done to make sure the spleen is just bruised and not ruptured, or to treat it if it is ruptured.

How long will the effects last?

The effects of a bruised spleen should last just a couple of weeks. If you need surgery, your recovery time may be longer—at least 4 to 6 weeks if your spleen needs to be removed.

How can I take care of myself?

• Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for taking care of yourself.
• Ask your healthcare provider:
  • if you need to stay in bed
  • when you can return to school or work
  • when you can resume sports.

How can I help prevent or avoid getting a bruised spleen?

Because contusions of the spleen tend to happen in accidents, there is no easy way to prevent them. Car accidents are the main cause, so wearing your seat belt can help decrease the risk.