Recovering from a liver or spleen injury takes time. While your child's liver or spleen is healing, it is very important to make sure it is not injured again.
Another injury to the liver or spleen, even a minor one, can be very serious or even fatal. Re-injuring the liver or spleen could cause death or serious complications such as:
- serious bleeding
- longer recovery time
- the need to go back to hospital
Until the liver or spleen is completely healed, your child needs to avoid activities that could cause another injury.
Your child should avoid activities that might re-injure the liver or spleen
While your child is recovering, they should avoid any physical activity that might cause another injury. Your child does not need to stay in bed but should be reminded to go slow and be mindful of their activities. Here is a list of the types of activities your child should avoid:
- gym at school
- individual or team sports including soccer, football, hockey, gymnastics, skiing, tobogganing or snowboarding
- rough play with family, friends, or pets. Make sure pets do not jump up on your child
- bike or scooter riding
- running or jogging
- playing on playground equipment or trampolines
- roller coasters, bumper cars, ATVs or horseback riding
- activities that would make your child get out of breath or sweaty
- activities that increase the risk of falling, body contact, getting tired, bumping into people or objects or being hit in the stomach
- activities that require heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling of anything greater than 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds), including carrying multiple large textbooks
- hot tubs or saunas
If your child normally does activities that you are not sure about, check with your child's health-care provider.
Your child will be able to return to school and go on light walks if they are comfortable. Remind them to take breaks, and not engage in activities that could cause re-injury. The length of time needed to abstain from these activities will depend on the severity of injury. Ask your child’s health-care provider about when your child can resume normal activities.
Other things to consider
Your child can shower or bathe, but they may need help at first. Be sure the bathroom has non-slip surfaces to prevent slipping. Your child can walk or swim gently. Your child should not join in any "horseplay" or swimming that will tire them or put them at risk for body contact.
If there is a chance of injury during school recess, your child should stay indoors supervised by an adult. They should stay quiet during this time.
If your child is young, watch them carefully to make sure they do not fall. Consider using a large crib or play pen for infants and toddlers and distract them with books, small crafts or other quiet activities to prevent them from falling.
Emotional recovery
It will take time for your child to feel better. You may notice emotional changes in your child during their recovery, such as irritability and tiredness. Give them time to rest and heal. Spending time with your child doing activities such as board games, reading and short walks can help them to feel less isolated as they recover. If your child has nightmares, flashbacks or other concerning emotional symptoms, speak with your child’s health-care provider.
Preventing spleen and liver injuries
Modeling safe behaviour is a great way to teach your child the importance of being safe. This includes ensuring you and your children are always wearing appropriate seatbelts while in vehicles. Children under 13 years of age are safest in the back seat of vehicles, in a correct child passenger seat for their height and weight. You should also ensure your child wears proper protective equipment when riding a bike, playing sports, or engaging in other high-speed activities.
Follow-up care
You will need to take your child to the surgery clinic six to eight weeks after discharge from the hospital. At that time, you will be told what activities your child can and cannot do.
Who to call with questions after discharge
For questions and concerns related to your child’s injuries, please call a member of your child’s care team.
When to see a health-care provider
Chances of re-injury are low when following a low-activity plan; however, you should still keep an eye on symptoms of re-injury or bleeding. Go to the nearest emergency department right away if your child has any of the following:
- stomach pain
- shoulder pain
- dizziness
- fainting
- fever of 39˚C (102˚F) or higher
- nausea or vomiting that does not go away
- generally feeling unwell
At SickKids
To contact the Trauma Program, please visit the Trauma Program webpage at https://www.sickkids.ca/en/care-services/clinical-departments/trauma-program/.