Herniation Specialist

What is herniation?

Herniation happens when a portion of an organ or other body part protrudes through muscle or tissue into another area. It can happen to numerous organs within the body, and each type of herniation causes a unique set of symptoms. 

Typically, herniation happens because the containing muscle or wall of tissue has become weak with time or stress. Sometimes, the weakness that leads to a hernia is a natural feature present from birth. Otherwise, repeated use of the muscle or strain can lead to weakness. 

Actions like physical exertion, coughing, or straining due to constipation can all lead to different types of herniation. 

What are some common types of herniation?

Herniation can happen all over the body, including in the pelvis, abdomen, or even your back or neck. A few common types of herniation are:

Inguinal herniation

Inguinal herniation happens when intestinal tissue or abdominal fat bulges into the groin area near the top of your thigh. Symptoms include visible bulges or pain in the groin. 

Umbilical herniation

Umbilical herniation happens when intestinal tissue or fat protrudes through abdominal muscles near your belly button. 

Hiatal herniation

Hiatal herniation happens when a portion of your stomach protrudes upward through the diaphragm into the chest area. Symptoms include indigestion, heartburn, and chest pain. 

Disc herniation

A bit different from the others, disc herniation occurs within the spine. The spinal discs are circular structures that provide cushioning between your vertebrae. When the outer portion of a disc gets weak or damaged, the inner portion can herniate into the spinal canal and compress nearby nerve roots. 

How is herniation treated?

Treatment for herniation at Doctors United depends on the type of herniation you have. Some hernias need surgery, while others are manageable with other types of care, like physical therapy and chiropractic. 

In a few cases, your physician can push the herniated organ or tissue back into place to treat the hernia. However, it’s more likely that you need hernia repair surgery for hernias in the trunk of your body, like inguinal or hiatal hernias.

During hernia repair surgery, your surgeon pushes the herniated tissue or organ back into place before repairing the weak spot in the nearby muscle or tissue. Some hernia repair surgeries are laparoscopic, meaning they’re minimally invasive. 

For disc herniation, you may or may not need professional care. Over-the-counter pain medications can treat symptoms of a compressed nerve. In-office injections of cortisone, guided with an X-ray, can relieve inflammation in the area and control some symptoms too. 

If your symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatment, microdiscectomy and other surgeries are available for disc herniation. 

If you have symptoms of any type of herniation and need treatment, call Doctors United or schedule your evaluation online today.