Suffering a Ruptured Spleen in a Bike Accident Is Serious

Gregg Hollander | February 17, 2024 | Bicycle Accidents

Suffering a Ruptured Spleen in a Bike Accident Is Serious

Bicycle riders can suffer injuries in accidents from the time they learn to ride until they never ride again. Fortunately, many bike mishaps lead to nothing more than scraped skin and bruised egos. However, a fair share of them do significant damage, such as in the case of a ruptured spleen. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency.

Bicycle Accidents and Ruptured Spleens

Bicycle accidents cause all manner of injury, from minor scrapes to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). One injury they cause frequently is a ruptured spleen. Due to the position of this organ, it is prone to injury in bicycle accidents. 

The spleen is located behind the lower left rib cage next to the stomach. When a cyclist’s movement suddenly stops, the biker is sometimes propelled forward into the left handlebar, which often strikes the ribs at the level of the spleen and causes damage. 

Symptoms of a Ruptured Spleen

The outer coating of the spleen is called the capsule, which tears when the spleen is ruptured. Once a rupture and tear occur, the victim risks bleeding to death as blood can freely pour into the abdomen. Emergency treatment is vital.

Some of the more prominent symptoms of a ruptured spleen include:

  • Abdominal pain near the stomach
  • Diaphragm pain on the left side
  • Shoulder pain
  • Hypotension
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Lightheadedness dizziness 
  • Blurred vision

Many of these symptoms are a direct result of blood loss. To verify the diagnosis of a ruptured spleen, the doctor will perform a physical examination and blood tests. Imaging tests, ultrasounds, and other procedures may also be used to diagnose the condition.  

Treating a Ruptured Spleen

As mentioned, a ruptured spleen is a medical emergency that needs to be handled by a doctor. The appropriate treatment depends on how serious the injury is. 

Surgical Treatment

For severe injuries, immediate surgery is the answer. Prior to the surgery, a radiologist may be called on to embolize the spleen to help stabilize the bleeding. 

If the spleen has not been damaged too extensively, the surgeon may be able to repair the organ. When repair is not an option, the surgeon will perform a splenectomy, which is a removal of the spleen. 

Although humans can live without a spleen, its removal can lead to serious health complications. This somewhat mysterious organ is part of the body’s immune system. Without it, certain other organs must pick up the slack. However, an individual who has a splenectomy becomes more prone to illnesses and infections. 

In some cases, the spleen is seriously damaged but not altogether unsalvageable. In these instances, a partial splenectomy will be performed. The surgeon will remove the damaged part of the spleen, taking great care to leave as much of the healthy organ intact as possible. 

Non-Surgical Treatment

When the spleen has suffered only minor or moderate damage, it is possible for an individual to recover without surgery. Treatment may include blood transfusions, embolization, and hospital monitoring and care. 

Depending on the seriousness of the rupture, a bicycle rider who suffers a ruptured spleen could require anywhere between three and twelve weeks to fully recover. For those who have had partial or full splenectomies, taking preventive measures against infections may be a lifelong reality.  

Serious Injuries Deserve Serious Compensation

A ruptured spleen often leads to expensive surgery that costs tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, bicyclists who suffer this injury must typically take significant time off work to recover, resulting in loss of income, isolation, and potential depression. 

If you suffered a spleen injury due to another person’s actions, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer for a free consultation to learn more.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in South Florida

If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd #500
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 347-7770

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Law Office
200 S.E. 6th Street #203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 287-0566

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
319 Clematis St #203
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-7873