Femoral hernia

NHS information about femoral hernia, including what the symptoms are, how it's treated and how to manage your recovery.

A femoral hernia is when part of your bowel, or surrounding fat, is pushed through a small space in your pelvis (femoral canal), causing a small lump at the top of your thigh. It needs treatment in hospital.

Symptoms of a femoral hernia may include:

  • a small lump at the top of your thigh, in your groin (where your leg joins your abdomen), about the size of a grape
  • aching around the lump that comes and goes
  • discomfort when you walk

Most femoral hernias become tightly squeezed (strangulated) which can affect the blood supply. This causes pain and can be serious.

It's important to get medical help if you think you have a femoral hernia, because it can become strangulated, which is serious.

See a GP if:

  • you think you have a femoral hernia

They may refer you for tests and treatment.

A femoral hernia can happen when the opening to the femoral canal gets stretched or weak. This can be caused by:

  • straining to poo
  • lifting heavy weights
  • being overweight
  • coughing
  • pregnancy
  • losing weight very quickly

Femoral hernias mainly happen in women over 50 years old. They can happen to anyone.

Surgery is recommended for a femoral hernia because it does not usually get better by itself and can have serious complications.

Femoral hernia repair surgery

The surgery to repair a femoral hernia is done in hospital using general anaesthetic, which means you're asleep during the operation. It can be done in different ways. Your doctor will discuss the best way to repair your hernia.

During femoral hernia repair surgery:

  1. The surgeon makes small cuts in your skin near the hernia.
  2. They'll gently push any healthy tissue that's inside the hernia sack back into place, and remove any parts that have lost blood supply.
  3. The surgeon will use stitches or the surrounding muscle or ligaments (stretchy bands that connects bones and joints) to strengthen the area to help prevent another hernia.
  4. They'll close the cuts in your skin using stitches or glue and cover them with a dressing.

Femoral hernia repair usually takes around 30 minutes, but it may take longer.

Like any surgery, there is a small risk of problems afterwards, including:

  • infection
  • blood clots
  • pain
  • difficulty peeing just after the operation

Recovery from femoral hernia repair surgery

It usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks to recover from femoral hernia repair surgery. You should avoid heavy lifting during this time.

You may be able to return to work around 1 to 3 weeks after surgery, depending on how the surgery was done and the type of job you have.

Your doctor can give you more information about what to expect during and after surgery. They can also give advice about things you can do to help your recovery and when you should be able to do things such as drive or return to your usual activities.

A common complication of a femoral hernia is when the blood supply to the bowel and other tissue inside the hernia becomes cut off (a strangulated hernia).

Strangulation can also cause a blockage in your bowel (obstruction).

These are medical emergencies and surgery is needed as soon as possible.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

You have a femoral hernia and:

  • very bad tummy pain
  • you feel sick (nausea) or you're being sick (vomiting)
  • you cannot fart or poo
  • you have a high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
  • you've suddenly become confused

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.