Treatment of a bruised kidney is typically dependent on the extent of the injury to the organ. Minor bruising will typically resolve itself with rest and limitation of fluid intake. You may experience discomfort or pain, so a medical professional may prescribe painkillers for temporary use. If your injury is accompanied by extreme pain or excessive blood in your urine, you may need to be admitted to the hospital for observation and tests to ensure the kidney is not more seriously damaged.
A bruised kidney is typically considered a minor injury and most medical professionals will opt to let it heal on its own with no medical intervention. The symptoms are typically limited to some abdominal pain and sometimes traces of blood in the urine; you should get plenty of bed rest and limit activities until these symptoms subside. Medical professionals also often suggest that sufferers limit their fluid intake to decrease the workload on the kidney until it heals. Most patients make a full recovery by following just these simple steps.
Pain can be a problem, so part of your treatment may include medication to ease your discomfort. If the pain is not significant, your healthcare provider may recommend you use an over-the-counter analgesic, like acetaminophen or NSAIDs. For those with worse injuries and more intense pain, a prescription narcotic pain medication may be more appropriate. These drugs can be habit-forming, have some significant side effects, or have negative interactions with other drugs, so you will likely only be given a limited supply.
When the symptoms of a bruised kidney are severe — for example, extreme abdominal pain and large quantities of blood in your urine — your doctor may decide that you need to go to the hospital to make sure there is not a more serious problem. These symptoms may indicate that in addition to being bruised, the organ is lacerated or the blood vessels attached to it have been torn. You will likely be monitored for such things as changes in blood pressure or cardiac performance; you may also receive intravenous fluids and possibly a blood transfusion if the bleeding continues. If it is determined that your kidney has obtained damage that cannot heal on its own, surgery may become necessary. Depending on the type of injury, this may involve repair of the organ or partial or full removal of it.
