Injury to the kidney and ureter is damage to the organs of the upper urinary tract. Show The kidneys are located in the flank at either side of the spine. The flank is the back of the upper abdomen. They are protected by the spine, lower rib cage, and strong muscles of the back. This location protects the kidneys from many outside forces. The kidneys are also surrounded by a layer of fat. The fat helps to cushion them. The kidneys have a large blood supply. Any injury to them, can lead to severe bleeding. The many layers of padding help prevent kidney injury. Kidneys may be injured by damage to the blood vessels that supply or drain them, including:
Kidney injuries may also be caused by:
The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Ureteral injuries may be caused by:
Emergency symptoms may include:
Long-term (chronic) symptoms may include:
If only one kidney is affected and the other kidney is healthy, you may not have any symptoms. The health care provider will examine you. Let them know about any recent illness or if you have come into contact with toxic substances. The exam may show:
Tests that may be done include:
The goals are to treat emergency symptoms and prevent or treat complications. You may need to stay in a hospital. Treatments for a kidney injury may include:
Sometimes, surgery is needed. This may include:
How well you do depends on the cause and severity of the injury. Sometimes, the kidney starts working properly again. Sometimes, kidney failure occurs. Complications may include:
Call your provider if you have symptoms of an injury to the kidney or ureter. Call the provider if you have a history of:
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have decreased urine output after a kidney injury. This may be a symptom of kidney failure. You can help prevent injury to the kidneys and ureter by taking these steps:
Kidney damage; Toxic injury of the kidney; Kidney injury; Traumatic injury of the kidney; Fractured kidney; Inflammatory injury of the kidney; Bruised kidney; Ureteral injury; Pre-renal failure - injury; Post-renal failure - injury; Kidney obstruction - injury Brandes SB, Eswara JR. Upper urinary tract trauma. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 90. Okusa MD, Portilla D. Pathophysiology of acute kidney injury. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 28. Shewakramani SN. Genitourinary system. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 40. Updated by: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. What will happen if the kidney is injured?The most serious complications of acute kidney injury include: high levels of potassium in the blood – in severe cases, this can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis and heart rhythm problems. too much fluid in the body, which can cause build-up of fluid in the arms and legs (oedema) or in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
How do you know if you injured a kidney?Symptoms of a bruised kidney
Ache or pain in the abdomen or lower back. Skin bruising/discolouration. Nausea. Vomiting.
Can a kidney injury heal?If AKI is treated early, most people will return to their previous kidney function. If you were healthy before AKI and you get treated right away, your kidneys could work normally or almost normally after treatment.
How long does it take an injured kidney to heal?In some cases AKI may resolve in a couple of days with fluid and antibiotics. In other cases the illness affecting the kidneys and the rest of the body may be so severe that recovery takes two or three weeks or even longer.
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