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Femoral hernia, still searching?
A year ago, while moving my leg, I experienced a strange jolt pain in my groin. It escalated, jabbing me or “catching” when I walked. Pretty soon, the episodes of pain were daily and debilitating.
A surgeon diagnosed a femoral hernia and scheduled surgery. Then, after ultrasounds and an MRI (while lying down) didn’t confirm the diagnosis, she canceled the operation.
I have had an EMG and an X-Ray of my hip. Both showed nothing.
Because I had had an “minisling” and a TVT surgery for incontinence, attention shifted to the pelvic mesh as a potential culprit. After a series of nerve blocks, a specialist recommended that I have the pelvic mesh removed in its entirety. He was able to remove more than 95% of the material.
Months after that removal surgery, I am still experiencing the devastating pain.
It’s a twisting, crushing, dagger-like pain. It’s a burning pain. It radiates to both sides, but it is always worse on the left. It is in my pelvis, groin and inner thigh, though the “epicenter” of the pain is deep in my groin, where my thigh meets my pelvis.
Neurontin help.
Ice helps.
Lying down on my back helps.Being on my feet or walking causes intense pain. Sitting for extended periods causes intense pain.
Physical therapy just seems to stir up the pain. Massage and heat aggravate it, too.
The days just before my period are excruciating.
I am scheduled to have further pelvic surgery to repair what the sling removal reversed.
I am wondering whether laparoscopic exploration is advised, considering that I’m having surgery anyway.
If so, what questions should I be asking? Do my symptoms sound like hernia/hernias?
I am desperate for answers. This is the weirdest most intense pain I have ever experienced.
(Also, I apologize for rehashing some of my story, but it’s been months since I’ve been on the forum.)
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7 Replies
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
yes.
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
Thank you.
Is an MRI indeed able to detect mesh?
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
MRI may show residual mesh. Though surgeons estimate the amount of mesh they remove, it is by no means an exact estimate, so it can still be the mesh, as Dr Ramaswamy suggested.
I am happy to evaluate your images and your history if you choose to seek an online consultation. You can call Sheila to set it up: 310-358-5020 or [email protected]
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
I’ve been examined by 3 general surgeons. One suspected a hernia but changed her mind based on the images.
The second surgeon was a surgeon you recommended, Dr. Ramaswamy. She couldn’t find anything and thought the mesh was likely the culprit. (The doctors removed 95%+ of it on 7/1.)
The third general surgeon said that femoral hernias are typically in thin women. He said that the pain wouldn’t be intermittent, as mine is.
Would it make sense to seek an updated ultrasound? (Last one was in January.)
I would be happy to send you my images.
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
You mentioned that the surgeon diagnosed femoral hernia. I assume the examination was suggestive. Imaging may not be accurate so if the examination is consistent with a hernia, then that is stronger proof.
Let us know which region you live in and perhaps we can refer you to a nearby specialist in hernias for a second opinion. Alternatively, you can seek online consultation with me, send in your images, and I will re-evaluate your situation. Call my office and ask for Sheila to set it up. 310-358-5020 or [email protected]
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
Hi, can you expound on this? “So if your exam is diagnostic, don’t give up.”
Do you mean the physical exam? The last general surgeon I saw said that there is no reason to suspect a hernia based on the physical exam and that surgery to look for one wasn’t advised.
The MRI and ultrasounds from 6-10 months ago are normal.
I feel like I am going bonkers. I feel like there is an ice pick in my groin! The burning/stabbing/tearing pain has taken over my life. I am open-minded about pain clinics/meditation, etc. But I feel like my body is telling me something is wrong, and ignoring it is next to impossible.
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Femoral hernia, still searching?
For sure allllll your symptoms are suggestive of hernia.
Imaging with valsalva is advised. Read my article and prior posts here about imaging and hernias. They can be inaccurate and misread. So if your exam is diagnostic, don’t give up.
Laparoscopy can be performed with extraperitoneal evaluation in order to confirm there is no hernia. Simple laparoscopy looks inside the abdominal cavity. It does not specifically look at the muscle level which is behind some fat and the peritoneum. So it’s important that the peritoneum and fat is removed to confirm the muscle is intact or there is a hernia.
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