What complaint is commonly associated with a traumatic injury to the spleen?

The complaint of "My left shoulder hurts" is commonly associated with a traumatic injury to the spleen due to a phenomenon known as referred pain. When the spleen is injured, it can cause bleeding and irritation of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is innervated by the phrenic nerve, which originates from cervical spinal nerves C3 to C5. Due to this nerve's pathway, irritation can lead to pain being felt in the left shoulder area, often referred to as Kehr's sign. This is a classic clinical finding that paramedics and healthcare providers look for when assessing a patient with suspected splenic injury.

While the other complaints may relate to a variety of conditions or injuries, they are not as specifically linked to splenic trauma. Feeling dizzy may indicate hemorrhagic shock or other causes, a swollen abdomen could signal intra-abdominal bleeding or other organ injuries, and a headache is a nonspecific symptom that typically wouldn't be directly associated with splenic injuries. Understanding the mechanism behind referred pain helps health professionals pinpoint the potential source of abdominal injuries and manage them effectively.