Hernia repair
Femoral hernia repair
A hernia through the narrow femoral canal, just below the groin crease. Less common than an inguinal hernia — and more likely to become trapped.
In plain language
What this operation is
A femoral hernia pushes through the femoral canal, a narrow space just below the groin crease where the main vessels pass into the thigh. It shows as a small swelling lower down than an inguinal hernia, close to the top of the thigh.
It is much less common than an inguinal hernia and is seen more often in women.
The important difference is the canal itself. Because the opening is narrow and rigid, tissue that pushes through is more likely to become trapped and lose its blood supply. For that reason repair is usually advised rather than watchful waiting.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- A small swelling just below the groin crease, at the top of the thigh
- Discomfort in the groin or upper thigh, particularly on straining
- Any femoral hernia, given the higher risk of becoming trapped
- Sudden pain or a swelling that will not reduce — as an emergency
And when it is not. Watchful waiting is generally not advised for femoral hernias, precisely because of the strangulation risk. That is the main way they differ in management from inguinal hernias.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
Assessment
Examination, often with an ultrasound or CT, since a femoral hernia can be small and is sometimes mistaken for an inguinal hernia or a lymph node.
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02
Deciding
Repair is usually advised once the diagnosis is made, rather than observation.
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03
The operation
Under general anaesthesia. The sac is reduced and the femoral canal closed and reinforced with mesh.
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04
Afterwards
Activity guidance and a follow-up to check the repair.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Most people are walking the same day.
- Some bruising in the groin and upper thigh is common early on.
- Heavy lifting is restricted for a period specified at discharge.
- Where the operation was done as an emergency, recovery takes longer than a planned repair.
When to go to hospital instead
Sudden severe pain over the swelling, a lump that becomes hard and will not reduce, or vomiting — this is an emergency. Go to a hospital immediately.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 How is a femoral hernia different from an inguinal hernia?
Position and risk. A femoral hernia sits lower — below the groin crease, at the top of the thigh — and passes through a narrow, rigid canal. That narrowness is why it is more likely to become trapped, and why repair is usually advised rather than waiting.
Difference02 Why is repair advised even if it is small and not painful?
Because the risk with a femoral hernia is not the size of the bulge but the narrowness of the opening. A small femoral hernia can strangulate, which turns a planned operation into an emergency one.
Urgency03 Is it more common in women?
Yes, femoral hernias are seen more often in women, although inguinal hernias remain the more common type overall in both sexes.
WhoNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.