What can be mistaken for a groin hernia?

Femoral hernias occur when a bit of tissue bulges through the lower belly and into the upper thigh, in the area just below the groin crease. Femoral hernias are sometimes mistaken for inguinal hernias because they occur in a nearby location.

What else can mimic a hernia?

(SLS). Hernias can go misdiagnosed in women, and can instead be thought to be ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, or other abdominal issues, according to the SLS. Women's hernias can be small and internal. They might not be a bulge that can be felt in an exam or be visible outside the body, according to the SLS.

What mimics a groin hernia?

Spermatic cord malignancy is a rare and challenging diagnosis, often misdiagnosed as an inguinal hernia or cord lipoma.

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin?

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin muscle? Feelings of dull aching and pain in the groin area are common for both a muscle strain and a hernia. A key indicator that you may have a hernia, however, is if you have a small bulge, lump, or bump on one side of the groin.

What is a false hernia?

The hernia is considered a true hernia if the organ protrudes through a normal aperture. Conversely, a false hernia, or rupture, refers to a hernia characterized by protrusion of viscera through an acquired opening. The sac of a true abdominal hernia is lined with peritoneum, which is not the case for a false hernia.

What to do with an inguinal hernia? Dr. Jordana Gaumond explains.

Can a hernia be confused with a tumor?

The symptoms of stomach cancer are similar to the symptoms of a hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer, namely a vague pain aggravated by food, nausea, heartburn and indigestion. These symptoms are often thought to be due to the stress of psychosomatic illness and are treated with antacids or H-2 blockers.

Is there always a lump with a hernia?

Even if a hernia doesn't cause pain or discomfort, it almost certainly will cause a lump under your skin where the abdominal wall has torn. These can be hard to spot if they occur in the inguinal canal in the groin area, as most hernias do.

Does hernia hurt when pressed?

Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.

What is Gilmore's groin?

Gilmore's Groin also known as sportman's hernia is a common injury involving the groin region. Gilmores groin is a chronic muscular groin pain most commonly acquired by athletes whose sport involves a regular kicking action such as soccer or rugby.

Does a hernia hurt to touch?

Hernias could cause abdominal pain

The area may be sensitive to the touch, even if you don't have a noticeable hernia bulge. Pain can feel like a burning or aching sensation, which may get worse with strain.

Is it a hernia or pulled muscle?

When someone experiences a pulled abdominal muscle, there can be inflammation and some swelling, but generally no physically-identifiable marker. A hernia usually causes a noticeable bulge on the surface of the abdomen. This bulge can be painless but change in size with exertion.

Is it a hernia or muscle strain?

Hernias cause a lump or bulge at the hernia site, which may ache or burn. A hernia can also cause constipation or nausea and vomiting (abdominal strains don't cause these problems). A hernia won't go away without treatment, but an abdominal muscle strain gets better with rest.

Are groin hernias hard or soft?

Key points about inguinal hernia

The hernia creates a soft lump under the skin. Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure. An inguinal hernia will not heal on its own. If you have symptoms, or the hernia is growing, you may need surgery.

What is a Sportsmans hernia?

A sports hernia is a painful, soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. It most often occurs during sports that require sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements. Although a sports hernia may lead to a traditional inguinal hernia, it is a different injury.

What can groin ultrasound detect?

A groin ultrasound is a procedure that uses ultrasound imaging primarily to evaluate the soft tissues of the groin. It is most commonly used to investigate presence of a groin hernia, cysts, lumps and fluid and may also be used to find the cause of groin or leg pain or testicular discomfort or inflammation.

What is sportsman's groin?

Sportsman's groin is a widely used term for painful conditions affecting the groin region in athletes. The pain is usually chronic and affects the lower abdomen, groin or upper medial thigh. There is no clear agreement on either the name or the exact underlying problems.

When should I worry about groin pain?

Schedule a doctor's visit if you have:

Severe groin pain. Groin pain that doesn't improve with home treatment within a few days. Mild testicle pain lasting longer than a few days. A lump or swelling in or around a testicle.

Do hernias hurt when lying down?

Many hernias flatten when patient lies down. Patients also can present with groin discomfort or pain. The discomfort may be worse by bending or lifting. These symptoms tend to be relieved at night when patients are lying down and the hernia reduces.

Where is hernia pain located?

The symptoms that lead most people to the doctor, and eventually a hernia diagnosis, typically include pain in the abdomen, particularly in the groin area. The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain.

How do you tell if a bulge is a hernia?

A bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone, which becomes more obvious when you're upright, especially if you cough or strain. A burning or aching sensation at the bulge. Pain or discomfort in your groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting. A heavy or dragging sensation in your groin.

How do you tell if a lump is a hernia?

If you've noticed a slight lump or bulge under your skin in your groin or abdomen area that is accompanied by pain or discomfort, you might have a hernia. Hernias most often occur when the stomach or other organs in the abdomen poke through a tear or weak spot in your muscle.

Does a hernia feel like a ball?

Symptoms. Typically, hernias don't hurt -- you see a bulge or lump in your belly or groin. Sometimes, you only see the bulge when you laugh, cough, or strain, like when you lift a heavy object. Often, you can press it back into place.

Can a lump in the groin be a hernia?

In most cases, a lump in the groin is either a cyst, a hernia, or a swollen lymph node. Cysts often resolve on their own and rarely lead to additional complications. Swollen lymph nodes typically indicate an infection, and the lump will usually disappear once the infection clears up.

Can an inguinal hernia be seen on a CT scan?

Ultrasonography and CT do not reliably detect hidden hernias. Patients with clinical suspicion of an inguinal hernia should undergo imaging, with MRI as the most sensitive radiologic examination.

Can a swollen lymph node be mistaken for a hernia?

Groin pain and swelling could be red flags for males and potentially indicate many different conditions such as swollen lymph nodes in the male groin area or a hernia.