An inguinal hernia is a hernia that forms on either side of the groin in an area known as the inguinal canal. The hernia can cause an opening in the canal that the patient will feel as a bulge in the groin area. Since the groin and area of the inguinal canal are complex, patients need to seek professional care and not seek treatment from an urgent care. At Core Surgical, our hernia specialists offer inguinal hernia treatment at our clinic in Midtown Manhattan.

Causes and Symptoms for Inguinal Hernias

Inguinal hernias are ten times more common in men than women and can be indirect or direct. Indirect occur in infants when the inguinal canal does not close completely at birth. Direct inguinal hernias generally occur in adults due to weakness in the lower abdominal wall near the inguinal canal. Risk factors, beyond gender, include obesity and straining when lifting, urinating or defecating.

Symptoms of an inguinal hernia include pressure or heaviness in the groin when coughing, straining or even after standing for long periods. A bulge can become noticeable that may be tender or painful. If the pain becomes severe, immediate medical may be needed in case the hernia is incarcerated or strangulated.

For treatment, we may recommend a laparoscopic repair that involves placing a small mesh inside the wall over the opening. Fortunately, we do not need to normally make an incision larger than 1 cm for this procedure. The procedure is minimally invasive and can prevent further complications from an inguinal hernia.

If you have symptoms of an inguinal hernia and want to explore treatment options, contact us at Core Surgical at our medical center in NYC. Our staff can schedule an exam with one of our hernia specialists to discuss inguinal hernia treatment.