When Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer executed that spectacular catch during the India-Australia clash in Sydney, it seemed like he might have just sustained a minor rib injury. However, the reality was far graver. In fact, he suffered an injury to his spleen, located beneath the ribcage. The BCCI has confirmed there is internal bleeding, and his treatment is ongoing.
What Is the Spleen and What Does It Do?
The spleen is a soft, fist-sized organ found beneath our left ribcage. It has two primary roles:
1. Defending the body against infections2. Filtering the blood, i.e., removing aged or damaged red blood cells
The spleen is among the body's most delicate organs due to its numerous blood vessels. A hard impact or a severe fall can cause it to rupture, leading to internal bleeding, known as splenic laceration.
How Serious is This Injury?
Reports indicate that spleen injuries can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the rupture's depth and the extent of bleeding:
Mild injuries might heal on their own.
Severe injuries with substantial internal bleeding might necessitate immediate surgery.
If the rupture is not deep and bleeding is contained, the body can gradually heal it on its own, referred to as non-surgical treatment.
How Do Doctors Treat This?
Not all spleen injuries require surgery. If the patient remains stable, meaning normal blood pressure and pulse, and minimal blood loss, doctors keep the patient under hospital observation. Initial days involve intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring. Frequent scans and blood tests are conducted to ensure bleeding is under control. Once bleeding stops, the body naturally absorbs the internal blood, and the spleen starts to heal. If the bleeding continues, doctors may perform embolization or surgery if necessary.
Recovery Timeline
Complete recovery of a spleen takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks. During this period, avoiding heavy activities, falls, or impacts is crucial to prevent worsening of the condition. This means Shreyas Iyer is likely to stay off the cricket field for about three months. When doctors are certain of complete healing, he can gradually return to light training.
Swift Medical Intervention Saved His Life
The spleen rupture can escalate to a critical condition rapidly if there's substantial bleeding. Shreyas was fortunate to receive immediate medical care, with scans and treatment initiated promptly, preventing a serious situation from developing further.
What Lies Ahead?
The good news is that with a minor spleen injury, most people recover fully. For a fit athlete like Shreyas, doctors are optimistic. Currently, he is under medical supervision in Sydney, where regular scans and evaluations are being conducted. As soon as his condition stabilizes, he will be discharged from the hospital, although rest and monitoring will continue for several more weeks.
