Femoral Hernia Treatment in NYC

Dr. Mark Reiner is an internationally recognized leader in treating and repairing inguinal (groin) hernias, including femoral hernias. If you’re experiencing pain, weakness, or pressure in the groin area, schedule a consultation with Dr. Reiner in NYC to receive expert diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Reiner has successfully performed thousands of minimally invasive hernia repairs and can help you return to a pain-free life.

What is a femoral hernia?

Under normal circumstances, your abdominal wall muscles keep your abdominal organs, such as your intestines, situated safely in your abdominal cavity. If your abdominal wall muscles become weak or if there is a hole in your abdominal wall, parts of your organs can slip through your abdominal cavity, forming a protruding soft mass known as a hernia.

A femoral hernia is a hernia that appears near your groin or upper thigh area. It is called a femoral hernia because it occurs when parts of your organs fall through the abdominal wall muscles and push through a narrow opening, located near the upper thigh area, known as the femoral canal. While femoral hernias are uncommon, under certain circumstances, they can become medical emergencies if left untreated.

What causes a femoral hernia?

A femoral hernia occurs when your abdominal organs begin to fall through a weakened area or an opening in your abdominal wall muscles and then slip through a narrow opening called the femoral canal. In general, hernias develop when there is excess pressure in your abdomen. Causes for femoral hernias may include:

• Chronic constipation
• Straining during urination
• Childbirth
• Lifting heavy items
• Pushing heavy items
• Persistent coughing
• Being overweight or obese
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
• Ascites

Because the female pelvic structure is wider than the male pelvic structure, women are more likely to develop femoral hernias than men.

What are the symptoms of a femoral hernia?

A femoral hernia will usually appear as a soft bulging mass near the groin or upper thigh area. Typically, small and medium-sized femoral hernias do not cause any additional signs and symptoms. However, larger femoral hernias may cause you to experience symptoms of pain and discomfort in your groin that intensify with:

• Standing
• Lifting heavy items
• Strenuous activities

How is a femoral hernia diagnosed?

In order to determine if you have a femoral hernia, a physical exam by a doctor will need to take place. During a physical, your doctor will examine and feel the affected area. If your doctor is unable to locate or feel the hernia during the examination, additional testing, such as an ultrasound, CT, or MRI, may be required for further diagnosis.

Can a femoral hernia lead to complications if left untreated?

Left untreated, a femoral hernia may lead to certain complications, such as strangulation, which means the hernia is cutting off blood supply to your intestines. A hernia can become strangulated when it becomes trapped, or incarcerated, in the femoral canal. Strangulation may be life-threatening. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Intense stomach pain
• Sudden pain or tenderness in the groin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Rapid heart rate

How is a femoral hernia treated?

Depending on its size and symptoms, treatment may not be needed. However, to avoid future complications, your doctor may recommend what is known as a hernia repair. Hernia repair can be performed as an open surgery or a laparoscopic procedure. Depending on which of the two methods is used, along with other factors, recovery time will vary. Speak with your doctor to learn more about which hernia repair option may be most appropriate for you.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Reiner!

If you are suffering from symptoms of a femoral hernia, the first step to improving your health and getting back to your regular pain-free life is to schedule a consultation with an experienced hernia doctor. Dr. Mark Reiner is a top surgeon in the field of minimally invasive hernia repair, and has performed thousands of successful hernia operations. Contact Dr. Reiner today by calling 212.879.6677 or filling out the form on this page.