Bladder/urethral trauma

The bladder, which stores urine/waste secreted by the kidneys as they clean the blood, is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ housed within the pelvis.  Injury may occur as a result of blunt or penetrating trauma.

The urethra is a canal that delivers urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body. Injury may occur as a result of straddle-type falls or pelvic fractures.

Types of bladder injuries

• Contusion - Bruising
• Extraperitoneal rupture - A tear at the bottom or the sides of the bladder
• Intraperitoneal rupture - A tear on top of the bladder, which allows urine to leak into the abdomen
• Penetrating injuries - Injuries caused by penetrating objects (bullets, knives, etc.)

Types of urethral injuries

• Anterior urethral trauma - Trauma affecting the portion of the urethra located near the skin - the perineum/the tissue between the anus and the posterior portion of the external genitalia.
• Posterior urethral trauma - Trauma affecting the portion of the urethra that is positioned inside the body.

Bladder trauma symptoms may include:

• Back pain
• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• Inability to urinate/difficulty in urinating
• Pain below the navel (bellybutton)
• Painful urination

Urethra trauma symptoms may include:

• Blood in the urine
• Inability to urinate/difficulty in urinating
• Swelling, inflammation, infection and abdominal pain caused by urine leakage into the surrounding tissues