The Curse Lives

Today while reading an article on ChicagoCubs.com about Alfonso Sorianos fractured finger I came across this ho-hum bit of news, “The Cubs have had a variety of injuries this spring. So far, infielder Mark DeRosa was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat, pitcher Jose Ascanio had a bruised face after getting punched in a robbery attempt, and outfielder Felix Pie missed a couple of days early because of a twisted testicle. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez remains sidelined with a sore right shoulder.”  Wait, What? Twisted testicle? What is a twisted testicle?  How do you twist a testicle?  I know the Cubs are cursed, but a twisted testicle? 

            Lets find out what exactly we are dealing with—according urologychannel.com a twisted testicle is, “Testicular torsion is a disorder in which the testicles rotate (twist) and strangle the spermatic cord, which consists of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and the duct that carries sperm from the body (vas deferens), cutting off the blood supply to the testicles. Torsion can cause shrinkage (atrophy) and tissue death (necrosis), and may require surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) if not treated promptly.”

            Now that your mind is at ease your probably thinking what if I have a twisted testicle and don’t know it what are the symptoms?

• ·       Blood in semen
  
• ·       Lower abdominal pain
  
• ·      Lump in testicle
  
• ·      Nausea and vomiting
  
• ·      Sudden, severe testicular pain, followed by diminishing pain after several hours (after necrosis begins to set in)
  
• ·      Redness of scrotum
  
• ·      Swelling of one testicle
  

But I have a feeling that if you have a twisted testicle you know it.

            Lets say you you’ve had you own run in with a billy goat and find yourself with your own pair of tangled testies—what is the treatment, “Treatment involves untwisting (detorsion), manually if possible and surgically if necessary. Surgical detorsion requires anesthesia followed by an incision in the scrotum. The testicles are untwisted and evaluated for necrosis. Dead tissue is removed; removal of one or both testicles may be necessary. If necrosis has not occurred, the healthy testicle(s) are then sutured (stitched) to the scrotal wall to avoid recurrence."

            I always knew that the Cubs were cursed but it seems to be getting worse not better for the baby bears.