Do not wait to see if it settles
- Sudden, severe pain in one side of the scrotum or lower belly.
- The scrotum is swollen, red or one testis sits higher than the other.
- Vomiting or a child who is unwell with belly pain.
- Go to a hospital with a paediatric surgeon immediately. The best chance of saving the testis is within about six hours.
What is testicular torsion?
The testis hangs on a cord that carries its blood supply. If the cord twists, the blood stops. Without blood, the testis begins to die. It can happen at any age, from newborns to teenagers, and often starts at night or after mild activity.
Why speed matters
If the testis is untwisted quickly, it is usually saved. As hours pass, the chance falls sharply, and after a day or more the testis is often lost. Fathers and mothers sometimes wait because the pain lessens or because the boy is embarrassed to say. Please do not wait.
Treatment
Emergency surgery: the scrotum is opened, the twist is undone and the blood supply checked. A living testis is fixed in place (orchidopexy). The other side is usually fixed as well, because the same condition can happen there. A testis that has already died has to be removed.
Common questions
The pain went away. Can we wait?
No. Pain can ease while the testis is still without blood. Any sudden scrotal pain needs to be examined the same day.
Can it happen in a newborn?
Yes. A newborn's scrotum that is swollen, hard or dark from birth needs urgent examination.
This page is for general information for parents. Every child is different: after examination and tests, an experienced paediatric surgeon decides the condition and the method of treatment. So for any problem, please consult a registered paediatric surgeon.