Your hernia questions, answered

Common hernia symptoms include a lump or swelling in the groin or abdominal wall, aching or discomfort, a dragging sensation, and pain that becomes more noticeable when coughing, lifting, exercising or standing for long periods. Some hernias cause very few symptoms, while others mainly present as pain without an obvious lump.

An inguinal hernia often causes a lump or swelling in the groin, which may become more obvious when standing, coughing or straining. You may also notice aching, burning or a dragging sensation. A clinical examination is often enough to diagnose an inguinal hernia, although ultrasound or other imaging may sometimes be useful.

Most true abdominal wall and groin hernias do not heal by themselves because they are caused by a weakness or defect in the abdominal wall. Some small or minimally symptomatic hernias can be monitored, but surgery is the only way to permanently repair the defect. Whether surgery is recommended depends on your symptoms, the type of hernia and your individual circumstances.

You should consider specialist assessment if you have a new groin or abdominal lump, persistent pain or discomfort, symptoms that are limiting work or exercise, or a previously diagnosed hernia that is becoming larger or more troublesome. A consultation can confirm the diagnosis and help you understand whether treatment is needed.

Diagnosis usually begins with a discussion of your symptoms and a physical examination. Many groin and abdominal wall hernias can be diagnosed clinically. If the diagnosis is uncertain, or if the anatomy needs to be defined more clearly, ultrasound, CT or MRI may be recommended.

Hernia Clinic Manchester assesses and treats a wide range of groin and abdominal wall hernias, including inguinal hernias, femoral hernias, umbilical and paraumbilical hernias, incisional hernias, epigastric hernias, Spigelian hernias and sportsman’s hernia or athletic groin pain.

Open hernia repair is performed through an incision over or near the hernia. Keyhole, or laparoscopic, repair uses several small incisions and a camera to repair the hernia from inside the abdominal wall. The best approach depends on the type of hernia, whether it is one-sided or bilateral, previous surgery, recurrence risk and your individual needs.

Robotic hernia surgery may be considered for selected patients, particularly where a minimally invasive approach is appropriate. Mr Christian Macutkiewicz has a specialist interest in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Whether robotic surgery is suitable will depend on the type and complexity of the hernia and will be discussed during your consultation.

No. Some hernias with minimal symptoms can be monitored, particularly where the risks of surgery outweigh the likely benefit. Others are more appropriately repaired because of pain, increasing size, lifestyle impact or the risk of complications. Your consultant will explain the options after assessing the type of hernia and your symptoms.

Recovery varies according to the type of repair, the size and location of the hernia, your general health and the type of work or exercise you do. Many patients are mobile soon after surgery and gradually return to normal activities over the following days and weeks. You will be given individual advice about driving, lifting, work and exercise.

The timing depends on the operation and your occupation. People with desk-based roles may return sooner than those whose work involves heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity. Your surgeon will give you personalised guidance based on your repair and recovery.

Some people can continue light or moderate exercise with a hernia, while certain activities may worsen pain or make the lump more noticeable. If exercise is causing discomfort, or you are unsure which activities are safe, a specialist assessment can help you understand how to manage activity before treatment.

A sportsman’s hernia, sometimes called athletic groin pain, is persistent groin pain related to sporting or physical activity and may occur without a visible lump. Assessment may involve clinical examination and imaging, with rehabilitation usually considered before surgery. Surgery is reserved for selected cases where symptoms persist despite appropriate non-operative treatment.

Your consultation will include a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history and any previous operations, followed by an examination of the affected area. If further imaging is needed, this can be arranged. You will then be given a clear explanation of the diagnosis and the treatment options available to you.

Mr Christian Macutkiewicz sees private patients at Spire Manchester Hospital, 170 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2AF. Hernia Clinic Manchester provides specialist assessment for patients with groin, abdominal wall and sports-related hernia symptoms.