A crural hernia, also known as a femoral hernia, is a type of hernia that causes a bulge in the upper portion of the thigh, near the groin. A hernia occurs when a portion of the intestines protrudes through a hole in the abdominal wall. Symptoms of a crural hernia may include discomfort in the groin area when standing or lifting heavy objects, nausea, or vomiting. Surgery to repair the damage is the usual treatment for a crural hernia.
The development of a crural hernia may be due to factors such as a chronic cough, chronic constipation, or heavy lifting. Obesity may increase a person's risk of developing a crural hernia. Men who have an enlarged prostate gland may have to strain when attempting to urinate, sometimes leading to the development of a crural hernia.
In many cases, this type of hernia does not create any symptoms. If symptoms are present, there may be mild to moderate discomfort in the groin area when standing, lifting heavy objects, or straining in some way. In some cases, a bulge can be seen in the upper thigh, near the groin area. The presence of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting may indicate the development of am obstruction, and this development should be considered a medical emergency.
A doctor can generally diagnose the presence of a crural hernia through a routine physical examination. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, further testing, such as a CT scan or an ultrasound, may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Any unusual or bothersome symptoms should always be reported to a doctor for further evaluation.
In most cases, a crural hernia will not go away on its own. If the hernia is small, the doctor may decide to monitor the situation until medical intervention becomes necessary. Most of these hernias will continue to grow, and surgery to repair the damage is usually needed at some point.
Hernia repair surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, meaning that the patient is completely sedated during the procedure. The surgeon will identify the portion of the intestines that is protruding through the abdominal wall and return the intestine to its normal position. The hole in the abdominal wall is then repaired, often using a small piece of mesh material to reinforce the abdominal muscle. Recovery from this procedure typically takes between two and four weeks, and physical activity should be limited during the recovery period.
