Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a femoral hernia are pain near the hip and groin, as well as a protruding bulge in the groin, upper thigh or labia. Many patients indicate worsening pain when they lift heavy objects, cough, strain during bowel movements, or sit or stand for a prolonged period of time. The pain may be sharp and immediate, or a dull ache that gets worse towards the end of the day.
The symptoms of a femoral hernia and an inguinal hernia are very similar and, as such, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. The primary difference is a hernia in the groin area that develops above the inguinal ligament is considered an inguinal hernia. If the hernia occurs below the ligament, it is considered a femoral hernia. During your initial appointment at our Los Angeles Hernia Center, our experts will be able to provide a diagnosis of the exact type of hernia following a comprehensive physical examination.
In rare cases, a femoral hernia may be accompanied by severe pain, nausea and vomiting. These are signs of a strangulated hernia, which is a life-threatening complication that occurs when a piece of the patient’s intestine becomes trapped within the hernia, resulting in a compromised blood supply. This is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate evaluation and emergency surgery.
What causes a femoral hernia?
Femoral hernias are not typically congenital, and instead develop over time in adults due to an increase of pressure within the abdomen due to chronic coughing, straining to have a bowel movement, trauma to the abdomen, lifting heavy objects, excessive fluid in the abdomen, pregnancy or being overweight. This pressure allows organs and tissue to protrude through natural weaknesses in the femoral canal, where femoral vessels pass into the thigh from the abdomen.
How is a femoral hernia treated?
It is important to note that femoral hernias will not repair themselves. Even if the pain disappears over time, the hernia still exists. Surgery is the only way to fully resolve the condition. Further, surgery is always required for femoral hernias given their high risk of strangulation.
There are two distinct surgical options our experts use to treat femoral hernias: open hernia surgery or laparoscopic hernia repair. The procedure we use will be dependent on the exact nature and size of the femoral hernia, as well as your medical history. It all goes towards providing among the most effective femoral hernia repair Los Angeles and Beverly Hills have available.
During open hernia surgery, our experts will make a single long incision in the groin, through which the femoral hernia will either be pushed back into place or removed. From there, we will repair the weak area in the muscle wall with sutures or surgical mesh to strengthen the tissue and prevent a recurrence. Recovery from your open hernia surgery, will typically last about three weeks, at which point patients may resume their normal activities. At six weeks, patients can resume strenuous exercise.
In some cases, we may use a minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopic hernia repair. During surgery, our experts will insert a thin scope with a camera attached to obtain internal visibility of the hernia and surrounding structures. We will then make a small incision to expose the weakened tissues in the abdominal wall, before placing a mesh patch or sutures to repair the defect. Following laparoscopic hernia repair, the recovery period is slightly shorter and associated with less pain and discomfort than open hernia surgery. In most cases, recovery from femoral hernia surgery lasts one to two weeks, at which point patients can resume light activity. At four weeks, patients can resume strenuous exercise.
Consultation process
If you suspect you have a femoral hernia, or you have a protruding bulge near the groin or abdomen, it is important to seek immediate evaluation at the Los Angeles Hernia Center. Untreated hernias can lead to irreversible damage and the development of life-threatening complications, so time is of the essence. During your initial appointment, our team of surgeons will evaluate your symptoms and provide a definitive diagnosis. From there, we will compose a custom surgical plan to repair your hernia and prevent a recurrence using the most comfortable and minimally invasive techniques available. With years of experience and countless successful procedures, our surgeons have developed a reputation for delivering among the best femoral hernia repair Los Angeles has to offer.
Our facility
We specialize in performing complete hernia surgery and repair, using the latest and most minimally invasive techniques available. Moreover, our staff is comprised of two leading hernia experts, both of whom are fully committed to providing our patients with the best femoral hernia repair Beverly Hills has available.
All procedures are performed in our surgical care center, which is a private alternative to a hospital setting. Because hernia repair is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, hospitalization simply is not necessary. As such, many patients prefer to undergo treatment in our state-of-the-art facility, which offers an added level of privacy, convenience, and comfort.
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