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Urology/Testicle pain

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Expert: Stephen W. Leslie, MD - 11/4/2009


Question
Hello Dr. Leslie
About 15 years ago I was lifting something heavy off the floor, the object slipped and I foolishly tried to catch it. I felt something pop in my left groin. I went to a doctor and he could find no injury. Ever since then my left testicle has been very, very tender. During intimacy I dread even a light touch on it. The left testicle is noticeably smaller than the right. The tenderness and pain get worse after I lift even moderate weight. There is a pulling sensation from the left "tubing" up into my lower left abdomen. I've been to a number of urologists and to my frustration they find nothing wrong.
I'm scheduled for a scrotal ultra sound. Not sure what he's looking for with that.
I describe my symptoms and I'm told I have a hernia. Yet no hernia is found.  Are there other specialists I should be seeing. I'm hoping you have seen or heard of these symptoms, it would good to know the cause. I've grown extremely frustrated.

Thank you for your tine,
Nick

Answer
Nick:

The most likely diagnoses are a pulled muscle in the groin area, a hernia or some type of inflammation in the testicle.  The ultrasound is a good way to look at the testicle and determine if there is any unusual inflammation, nodules or other abnormalities.

For a possible hernia, consult a general surgeon.  For a definitive opinion on the testicle, consult a urologist.

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Stephen W. Leslie, MD

Expertise

Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.

Experience

Full time practicing urologist with 30 years experience. Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Urology at Creighton University Medical Center. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only NIH approved book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.

Organizations
American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society

Publications
Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Awards and Honors
Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association. Rated as one the country's Best Urologists by the Independent Consumer's Research Institute

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