S37: Injury of urinary and pelvic organs

S37.3: Injury of urethra

Injury of the urethra refers to any harm or damage that occurs to the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. This injury can result from various sources such as trauma, surgical procedures, or insertion of foreign objects. The symptoms of urethral injury often include pain, especially during urination, blood in the urine, and difficulty urinating. In severe cases, a person might not be able to pass urine at all. This condition can affect both men and women, though the urethra is longer in males and thus potentially more prone to injury. Detecting a urethral injury is usually done through medical imaging or an examination by a healthcare provider. If left untreated, complications such as infection, damage to the kidneys, and scarring of the urethra can occur.