A hernia develops due to a weak spot in a wall of muscle. An organ or fatty tissue protrudes through the weakened area, causing a bulge. Hernias most often occur in the abdomen and groin. They can be painful, and they DO NOT resolve on their own. The most common types are: Inguinal hernia, Umbilical hernia, Hiatal hernia, Incisional hernia, Epigastric hernia, and Femoral hernia.
Most hernias are inguinal, and the majority of these occur in men. In this type, part of the intestine or other tissue bulges through the inguinal canal, which is located in the groin near the top of the inner thigh.
This is the second most common type of hernia
The diaphragm’s job is to separate the chest from the abdomen. In hiatal hernias, part of a patient’s stomach bulges through the diaphragm into the chest.
These are fairly common AFTER abdominal surgeries. They occur when tissue protrudes through a poorly healed surgical site.
Tissue bulges through the abdominal muscle between the belly button and the chest.
Much more rare than inguinal hernias, femoral hernias primarily affect older women. They are typically smaller and occur a bit lower down in the groin area. Femoral hernias develop in the femoral canal, which is where the femoral artery and vein flow into the thigh.
The most common hernia symptom is a bulge or lump (that can be pushed back in at first) where the muscle has weakened. It is usually most noticeable when standing up, laughing, crying, coughing, straining during bowel movement, lifting a heavy item, or bending over. Sometimes the hernia effectively disappears when lying down. Other hernia symptoms may include:
Some hernias will present no obvious, troubling symptoms and will instead be discovered during routine physical testing.
Hernias can most often be diagnosed through a simple physical exam of the affected area. An array of imaging technologies exist to diagnose hernias that are less obvious externally. If more information is necessary, other hernia testing options include ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan.
Patients with small, and/or painless hernias can adopt a watch-and-wait approach. When hernias grow or cause pain, surgery is usually the best approach to relieve pain and minimize the risk of complications that can cause permanent damage or be life threatening. Dr. Uecker will consult with hernia patients to determine which surgical method is right for them. He has extensive experience repairing hernias and offers state-of-the-art robotic surgery, as well as open surgery and non-robotic laparoscopic options. There is no one-size-fits-all hernia repair, and Dr. Uecker will detail your surgical options and craft a plan that suits your medical need and lifestyle.
What better time than Hernia Awareness Month to brush up on information about hernias? While most everyone has heard the term “hernia,” many people don’t recognize hernia signs or realize there are several different types….
Read More
Sudden pain in the groin area can truly stop you in your tracks. Once you’ve taken a seat and caught your breath, it’s time to narrow down what could be the culprit. There’s a good…
Read More
