A hernia — a relatively common condition diagnosed in more than 5 million people each year — is the general term for a bulge or defect developing in weak areas of the abdominal muscle. Specific types of hernia are named for the area where they occur or the cause.
Our team is skilled in caring for all types of hernias, including:
- Inguinal (groin)
- Femoral (upper thigh/groin)
- Umbilical (belly button)
- Incisional (near a surgical incision)
- Epigastric (abdomen)
- Hiatal (diaphragm)
- Paraesophageal (diaphragm)
- Spigelian (lower abdominal wall)
- Lumbar (lower back)
- Obturator (pelvic floor)
- Parastomal (near a surgically-made opening in the abdomen or bowel)
Some people are born with a hernia while others experience one after surgery or repetitive, chronic or severe straining of the muscles in the abdominal wall. Such stressful activities can include:
- Heavy lifting
- Chronic cough
- Constipation
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Abdominal or pelvic surgery
Symptoms & Diagnosis
While each person’s hernia experience is unique, general symptoms can include:
- Bulge in the abdomen or groin
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen or groin when bending or lifting something (strenuous activities)
To diagnose a hernia, our specialists will take a complete medical history and physical exam to find any unexplained bulge in the abdomen or groin. We might also evaluate for other disorders with abdominal organs which may mimic hernias.
Treatment Options
Surgical repair of the hernia is the only effective treatment. If your hernia is small, we might suggest watching and waiting to see if it grows or gets more serious. Typically, however, hernias do get larger and surgery will eventually be needed.
There are two categories of hernia surgery we offer:
- Open surgery which involves making an incision over or near the hernia and enclosing it with stitches and mesh reinforcement to prevent it from getting larger. Recovery typically takes six to eight weeks.
- Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robot-assisted) involving smaller incisions. This means faster recovery, less pain and decreased risk of infection for you.
Living with the Condition
If you choose watchful waiting with your hernia, our team can support you emotionally and with tips for not aggravating or worsening the condition. That can include learning how to lift safely, exercising to strengthen your abdominal core and even choosing certain foods.
Surgical patients also benefit from this type of support from our diverse team. A hernia can cause your core to weaken, which affects movement and balance. The physical therapists on our team can work with you to gently engage those muscles again and gradually restore strength.