What kind of hernia?

[UhOh!]

quote mattl:

Would the bulge be easily noticeable. If I cough hard I feel what seems to be a ‘weak’ spot toward my left groin area. I can feel what seems to be dime size ‘object’ that I can push on… so strange, causes no pain when I push on it and so far haven’t noticed any. I assume there’s no clear imaging I can have done to get a clear diagnosis? Should I avoid surgical solutions as long as their is no pain?

I feel almost the exact same thing on the right side (left side I have an obvious hernia). I’d wondered if it was the beginning of another hernia but it’s been unchanged for about a year and no bulge/discomfort. Honestly cannot tell if it’s something “internal” herniating, or if the “object” is just expanding muscle/connective tissue that runs through the area.

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2944″]mattl[/USER]
Dear Mattl
Most insurance companies require that you go through your PCP. The PCP can order the test and get the authorizations required.
Regards.
Bill Brown MD

[mattl]

quote DrBrown:

Dear Matti.
If you are concerned about a sports hernia, then an MRI with the Sports hernia protocol is your best test.
If you are concerned about a hernia, then a standing ultrasound with valsalva is your best test.
Bill Brown MD

How does one go about getting either of these done. Referral by my PCP?

[DrBrown]

Dear Matti.
If you are concerned about a sports hernia, then an MRI with the Sports hernia protocol is your best test.
If you are concerned about a hernia, then a standing ultrasound with valsalva is your best test.
Bill Brown MD

[mattl]

quote DrBrown:

[USER=”2944″]mattl[/USER]
If you do not have a bulge and if you do have pain, then I would not advise anything else to be done at this time.
Regards
Bill Brown MD

Would the bulge be easily noticeable. If I cough hard I feel what seems to be a ‘weak’ spot toward my left groin area. I can feel what seems to be dime size ‘object’ that I can push on… so strange, causes no pain when I push on it and so far haven’t noticed any. I assume there’s no clear imaging I can have done to get a clear diagnosis? Should I avoid surgical solutions as long as their is no pain?

[DrBrown]

[USER=”2944″]mattl[/USER]
If you do not have a bulge and if you do have pain, then I would not advise anything else to be done at this time.
Regards
Bill Brown MD

[kaspa]

[USER=”2944″]mattl[/USER] Personally, I wouldn’t risk a hernia repair at this time. Perhaps you have conditions for a hernia, but that may take years to show up (or never do).

Sometimes imaging is too sensitive and can detect a clinically meaningless hernia.

I’d first exclude all possible causes and then take treatment as adequate. That aching doesn’t seem to disturb you too much and if your groin is not the cause, a hernia repair will help nothing and you can gain new problems (specially if you do a mesh repair).

[mattl]

quote kaspa:

Can you be more precise? Did surgeon reproduce your pain in examination? Was hip for instance excluded? How did surgeon detect your hernia? With finger through scrotum? How do you describe your pain?

Hi Kaspa, I have no pain and no visual bulges. He pushed on the lower left abdomen area and made me cough and then did the same under scrotum. I did not feel any bulges. As of writing this I have no pain or discomfort as of now.

I cannot find a hernia specialist in Michigan for the life of me. If anyone has any referrals please let me know!

[Good intentions]

quote mattl:

However is it common to get an MRI? I would like one to get a accurate diagnosis. I did read sports hernias do not show bumps, I do not have a bump at all..

Any guidance would be appreciated. I requested a MRI from my primary to get a accurate diagnosis.

Read more Topics on the site and you’ll see that diagnosing hernias from imaging is not an easily acquired skill. Many hernias are missed until a hernia expert gets involved. Don’t depend on referrals and the “system” to solve your problem. You’ll just end up getting a mesh repair.

:”Sports hernias” and real hernias have different symptoms. It looks like you are just learning about hernias and might be making many common mistakes, not really understanding the differences and the possible repair methods. Be careful. Good luck.

[kaspa]

Can you be more precise? Did surgeon reproduce your pain in examination? Was hip for instance excluded? How did surgeon detect your hernia? With finger through scrotum? How do you describe your pain?

[mattl]

quote kaspa:

Can you please tell first why did you see a general surgeon so that one can understand your problem and perhaps be of some help.

Had some aching in lower left would go away with time. Recurred once.. then went to general surgeon.

[patient]

[USER=”2944″]mattl[/USER] don’t lose your time with primary care? Go to a specialist in hernias, I spent 1 year going to primary care and general surgeons, they weren’t able to diagnose.
Go to a hernia specialist.
Whatever path choose for surgery, mesh is chronic pain and no-mesh repair is high risk of reoccurrence.
good luck!

[kaspa]

Can you please tell first why did you see a general surgeon so that one can understand your problem and perhaps be of some help.