A femoral hernia forms when tissue pushes through a weak spot near the top of the inner thigh. It is less common than other hernia types, but the complication risk runs higher. This guide covers what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what treatment usually involves.
What Is a Femoral Hernia?
Near the groin, a narrow space called the femoral canal sits next to the main blood vessels that run from the abdomen into the leg. When part of the intestine or fatty tissue pushes through that space, it forms a femoral hernia. The bulge usually appears just below where the thigh meets the abdomen, on the inner thigh rather than higher up near the groin.
People often mistake this for an inguinal hernia, since both appear in roughly the same general area. A femoral hernia, though, sits lower and closer to the leg. Because the canal it passes through is so narrow, it also tends to carry more risk than an inguinal hernia does.
What Causes a Femoral Hernia?
The exact cause is not always known, but several factors can contribute to a femoral hernia. Pregnancy places sustained strain on the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, and aging weakens that tissue on its own over time. Add chronic strain from heavy lifting, a persistent cough, or long-term constipation, and the weak spot in the femoral canal becomes more likely to open up.
How Is a Femoral Hernia Diagnosed?
A physical exam is usually the first step. The doctor checks the groin and inner thigh for a bulge, which often stands out more when standing or coughing. Femoral hernias can be harder to feel than other types, especially early on. Because of this, an ultrasound or CT scan is sometimes used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of the discomfort.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Femoral Hernia?
Treatment options for a femoral hernia are more limited than for other hernia types, largely because of the risk involved in waiting. The choice usually comes down to whether monitoring is even reasonable, or whether surgery should happen right away.
Monitoring in Certain Cases
In the initial stages, when there is no pain or other symptoms, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to keep the femoral hernia from getting worse. But if it grows moderate or large in size, you will need surgery to fix it.
Femoral Hernia Repair Surgery
Surgery is the standard treatment for most femoral hernias. The surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into place and repairs the weakened area of the abdominal wall, usually adding surgical mesh to lower the risk of recurrence.
This can be done in one of two ways. Open surgical repair is the more traditional method, performed through a single larger incision. Surgeons tend to use this approach more often, particularly in urgent cases.
Laparoscopic surgical repair is the other option. It uses a few small incisions and a camera to guide the surgeon instead of one larger cut. Doctors tend to reserve this approach for elective, non-emergency cases, and patients usually recover a bit quicker compared to open repair, though which one fits best really comes down to the individual case.
Why Femoral Hernia Treatment Should Not Be Delayed
The femoral canal is narrow, which is exactly why femoral hernias carry more risk than other common types. Tissue trapped in that space can lead to incarceration, where the hernia can no longer be pushed back in, or strangulation, where blood supply to the trapped tissue gets cut off.
Strangulation is a medical emergency; it can cause tissue damage within hours if it goes untreated. That risk is why surgery is generally recommended sooner rather than later, even when early symptoms feel mild.
Conclusion
A femoral hernia may start small, but the risk of complications makes early evaluation important. If you have noticed a bulge near your groin or inner thigh, contact NOVA Bariatrics & General Surgery at (469) 639-0953 to schedule an evaluation.
