A femoral hernia is a lump in the upper thigh near the groin. They are relatively rare, but they are more likely to result in complications than other hernia types. Most people need surgery to fix it.
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What Is a Femoral Hernia?
A femoral hernia forms when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall.
Although a femoral hernia is a relatively rare hernia type, it's more likely to result in a condition called strangulation. Strangulation happens when the hernia gets stuck, cutting off its blood supply.
If the small intestine causes the hernia, strangulation can result in a bowel obstruction (or blockage). It’s a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.
Many people don’t know they have a femoral hernia until a doctor diagnoses it during a physical exam or they begin having pain in the groin area. The only way to repair a femoral hernia is with surgery.
What are the types of femoral hernia?
A femoral hernia may be present at birth. It may also develop over time, especially when an activity puts pressure on your lower abdominal muscles.
Femoral hernias are often mistaken for other conditions.
It’s important to see your doctor to rule out those conditions, including:
- Femoral artery aneurysm.
- Inguinal hernia.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Swollen veins, especially in the scrotum.
How common is femoral hernia?
Femoral hernias are rare, making up about 3% of all hernias. They are more common in women than in men, and they are more likely to lead to complications. For this reason, doctors will often recommend surgery for femoral hernias, even if they are small and cause little discomfort.
What causes a femoral hernia?
Femoral hernias occur when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, in the upper thigh near the groin.
Some femoral hernias are present at birth. However, most develop later — especially during strenuous activities that put pressure on the lower abdominal muscles.
Femoral hernia risk factors
Anyone can develop a femoral hernia, but they are more likely if you:
- Are a smoker with a chronic cough.
- Are a woman.
- Are an older adult.
- Are obese.
- Have been diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder.
- Have done activities that put pressure on the lower abdominal muscles, such as heavy lifting.
Femoral hernia complications
Femoral hernias are more likely than other kinds of hernias to result in complications.
If the small intestine is part of the hernia, strangulation can lead to a bowel obstruction (or blockage). This is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.
You should see a doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:
- A hernia that cannot be pushed back into the abdominal wall.
- A hernia that suddenly grows.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Redness around the hernia.
- Severe pain in your lower abdomen, groin, or upper thigh.
How can I prevent a femoral hernia?
You can’t completely prevent a femoral hernia. But you can reduce your risk by avoiding activities that put intense pressure on your lower abdominal muscles.
Some measures your doctor may recommend include:
- Lifting heavy objects with proper form to prevent twisting or straining.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Strengthening your abdominal, or core, muscles.
- Stopping smoking to reduce your chances of chronic cough.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Femoral Hernia?
Many people don’t realize they have a femoral hernia until their doctor discovers it during a physical exam.
Others may notice:
- A lump or bulge in the upper thigh, near the groin.
- Pain in the lower abdomen, upper thigh, or groin.
When should I see a doctor about my femoral hernia symptoms?
Contact your health care provider if you notice a lump in your upper thigh near your groin or have pain in that area. Femoral hernias are rare, but they are more likely than other types of hernias to result in complications.
The most common complication is strangulation, which cuts off the hernia’s blood supply. It requires emergency surgery.
You should see a doctor and go to the emergency department right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- A hernia that cannot be pushed back into the abdominal wall.
- A hernia that suddenly grows.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Redness around the hernia.
- Severe pain in your lower abdomen, groin, or upper thigh.
How Do You Diagnose a Femoral Hernia?
Doctors often diagnose femoral hernias during a routine physical exams. Femoral hernias can be mistaken for other conditions, so your doctor may order imaging tests to make the correct diagnosis.
Tests to diagnose a femoral hernia
- CT scan — A CT scan uses a series of x-rays to create a three-dimensional image of the tissues and organs in your lower abdomen. It is painless and noninvasive.
- MRI — An MRI uses a powerful magnetic field to create a detailed image of your tissues and organs. It is painless and noninvasive.
- Ultrasound — An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your tissues and organs. It is painless and noninvasive.
How Do You Treat a Femoral Hernia?
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes cannot fix or prevent a femoral hernia. But they can reduce your risk of developing a hernia or a recurrence of your hernia following surgical repair.
- Lift heavy objects with proper form to prevent twisting or straining.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Strengthen your abdominal muscles (core).
- Stop smoking.
Surgery for femoral hernia
Surgery is the only way to repair a hernia. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 1 million hernia surgeries occur in the United States each year. That makes it one of the most common surgeries.
Typically, your doctor will use one of two surgical methods to repair your hernia:
- Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) surgery — Your doctor will make several small incisions (cuts) in your abdomen and use tiny instruments and a camera to repair your hernia. Minimally invasive surgery usually means less pain and a faster healing time.
- Open surgery — Large or more complicated hernias may need open surgery. In this type of surgery, doctors make one long incision in your lower abdomen or groin to repair the hernia. They close the incision with stitches and sometimes surgical mesh to strengthen the weak spot.
What happens during surgery for femoral hernia?
Most hernia surgeries occur in a hospital under general anesthesia. You may need to stop eating, drinking, and taking certain medications in the hours before your surgery.
Smoking increases your risk of infection after hernia surgery. Your doctor may recommend quitting in the weeks before surgery.
During surgery, your doctor will:
- Push the bulging tissue or organ back into place.
- Repair the weak spot in your abdominal wall.
- Use surgical mesh to strengthen the muscle wall and prevent another hernia. Mesh is used in most nonemergent cases.
If you have minimally invasive surgery, your procedure will take about 60 minutes. Most patients are able to go home the same day following an elective femoral hernia repair.
You are also more likely to have pain at the incision site after open surgery. Most pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or with prescribed narcotic pain medication.
When should I call the doctor after femoral hernia surgery?
You should call your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms after your hernia surgery:
- Abdominal pain and swelling.
- Continuous vomiting.
- Fever.
- Foul-smelling or pus-like drainage from your incision.
- No bowel movement after two to three days.
- Pain that gets worse and cannot be controlled with medication.
- Swelling, redness, or bleeding near the incision site.
Is surgery the right treatment for my femoral hernia?
Surgery is the only way to repair a femoral hernia. Doctors typically suggest early surgery to repair the hernia because of the high risk of complications associated with femoral hernias, including obstruction and strangulation. That's because femoral hernias are more likely to cause complications.
People who smoke, have diabetes, or are overweight have an increased risk of complications after hernia surgery. If you have these health concerns, talk with your provider about whether hernia surgery is right for you.
How long does it take to recover after surgery for femoral hernia?
Depending on your overall health, the size of your hernia, and the type of surgery you received, you may be able to resume some activities in the days after your surgery. Light activity can help to prevent blood clots and pneumonia.
Full recovery takes several weeks. Your doctor will give you specific post-operation instructions.
Why Choose UPMC for Femoral Hernia Care?
UPMC provides expert care for all types of hernias.
At UPMC, you can expect:
- Access to new and innovative treatment — Almost all our surgeons participate in clinical or laboratory research. Their discoveries ensure that patients receive the latest treatments using the most advanced techniques.
- Care close to home — We have more than 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient care sites in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. You never have to travel far to receive the world-class care you need.
- Top doctors — Our team of surgeons and specialists is available around the clock to consult, diagnose, and treat patients with the most advanced care available. All of our surgeons are certified by the American Board of Surgery. Many are nationally renowned for the comprehensive care they provide patients.
