Femoral Hernia

Femoral Hernia

Do you experience pain or discomfort in your groin area when you cough or lift heavy objects? It could be a femoral hernia. But don't worry. Our team, led by Dr. Gay, is here to provide you with all the information you need about femoral hernias and how to treat them. In this article, we'll dive into what exactly a femoral hernia is, how to identify it, available treatment options, and everything you need to know about femoral hernia repair surgery. With our help, you can get back to living your life pain-free.

What is a Femoral Hernia?

The most common types of hernias include:

Femoral Hernia

A femoral hernia is when a section of the small intestine or some fatty tissue bulges through a weakpoint of the groin or thigh muscle wall. On average, femoral hernias will be most common with women compared to men, but they also frequently occur in older overweight people.

What Are the Symptoms of a Femoral Hernia?

Symptoms of a femoral hernia can include a bulge or lump in the groin or thigh area, pain or discomfort in the groin or thigh when coughing, lifting heavy objects or straining during bowel movements, and a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the groin or thigh. Additional symptoms include nausea, vomitting, or constipation.

Occasionally, a femoral hernia can be misdiagnosed as an inguinal hernia, since they both occur near the same area of the body. Inguinal hernias protrude through the inguinal canal, while femoral hernias protrude through the femoral canal, which is located just below the inguinal ligament.

What Are the Risks of Leaving a Femoral Hernia Untreated?

If left untreated, a femoral hernia can become strangulated, meaning the tissue gets trapped and can no longer receive blood flow. This can cause the tissue to die, leading to serious complications such as gangrene, sepsis, or even death. Therefore, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is important if you suspect you have a hernia.

How is a Femoral Hernia Treated?

The treatment for a femoral hernia is usually surgery. Surgery involves pushing the hernia back into place and repairing the muscle wall to prevent it from happening again. Dr. Gay will perform the surgery with robot assistance laparoscopically to minimize the incision size and increase accuracy.

The decision to have surgery for a femoral hernia will depend on several factors, including the severity of the hernia, the patient’s overall health, and personal preferences. Dr. Gay may recommend watchful waiting and monitoring of the hernia for any changes if it is small and not causing severe discomfort. However, surgery will likely be recommended if the hernia is large, causing pain or discomfort, or has become strangulated.

The recovery time after surgery will depend on the type of surgery performed and the patient’s overall health. Still, most people can return to normal activities within a few weeks or months.