Q: How do I know if my hernia requires surgery?
A: If you think you or a loved one has a hernia, the best next step is to seek expertise from a health care provider who sees hernias on a daily basis. This evaluation and the actual diagnosis of a hernia can often be done with a simple physical exam in the office. It doesn't require extensive testing or lab work.
If you suspect you have a hernia, seeking this clarity is a critical step because a hernia can cause life-threatening complications if left untreated - including the internal organs becoming twisted, blocked or infected. Your hernia may or may not get worse, but it's important to have your hernia evaluated by a specialist, even if your plan is to hold off on surgery.
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Seeing a surgeon doesn't necessarily mean you're heading straight to the operating room. But it does help you know what symptoms to look out for and the best path forward - and in some cases, that's watching and waiting. The field of hernia repair is rapidly expanding, and our priority is to perform a repair that will last and to do that in the least invasive way we can.
Hernias can only be repaired through surgery, and there is no way of knowing if or when things will get worse. Understanding the symptoms and making a plan for treatment can help you or a loved one prevent a serious medical emergency.
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Dr. Robert Jean is a general surgeon with University Surgical Associates and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
Photo courtesy the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society / Dr. Robert Jean