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The Daily Insight

How is lumbar hernia treated

Author

Andrew Campbell

Published Apr 04, 2026

Lumbar hernias do not always require treatment if the symptoms are mild. The hernia should be monitored to ensure it does not become incarcerated or become at risk for strangulation. If the lumbar hernia is painful or at risk for strangulation, surgery may be needed for repair.

How do you fix a lumbar hernia?

Repair of lumbar hernias should be performed as early as possible to avoid incarceration and strangulation. The classic repair technique uses the open approach, where closure of the defect is performed either directly or using prosthetic mesh.

How long does lumbar hernia surgery take?

Results: This technique was used in one patient with painful increased volume in the left lower back and bulging on the left lumbar region. CT scan was performed and revealed left superior lumbar hernia. Operative time was 45 min and there were no complications and hospitalization time of 24 h.

How serious is a lumbar hernia?

If relatively symptom free lumbar hernia can be left alone, but it will increase in size. Most patients though require surgical repair as the hernia may become uncomfortable especially when lying down. The risk of incarceration or strangulation is though very small.

How common are lumbar hernias?

It is a rare case and accounts for less than 2% of all hernias in the abdominal wall. Superior lumbar hernia is more common than the inferior lumbar hernia.

How is a lumbar hernia diagnosed?

Diagnosis of a simple lumbar hernia is mostly clinical which can be confirmed with either a CT scan or MRI which shows a defect in the fascia. Treatment is surgical with the use of a large mesh in the preperitoneal space either through the open or laparoscopic approach.

How do you get a lumbar hernia?

Lumbar or flank hernias can be caused by weakness in the abdominal wall combined with straining and excess weight, similar to other hernias. However, it is common for lumbar hernias to be caused by trauma to the side or back of the abdominal wall.

Can a hernia cause hip and back pain?

The pain may not just be in the area of the hernia; it can radiate to your hip, back, leg — even to the genitals. As your hernia gets worse, many aspects of your life will get worse right along with it. Even if it isn’t painful (yet), the sensation and pressure may cause you to avoid certain activities.

What does a hernia in your back feel like?

This pain might shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions. Pain is often described as sharp or burning. Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.

What is a left lumbar hernia?

A lumbar hernia is a posterolateral body wall hernia where the bowel, omentum, or pre-peritoneal fat herniates through the lumbar triangles. Many surgeons are not familiar to lumbar hernias, which frequently leads to misdiagnosis and delay of treatment.

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Can a hernia cause your lower back to hurt?

Can Hernias Cause Back Pain? The short answer is yes, hernias can cause back pain. Before we dive in any deeper, let’s briefly talk about what exactly a hernia is. Hernias occur when an organ or piece of tissue pushes out of a muscle wall, resulting in pain and potential blood flow issues.

How do I know if I've got a hernia?

A hernia usually develops between your chest and hips. In many cases, it causes no or very few symptoms, although you may notice a swelling or lump in your tummy (abdomen) or groin. The lump can often be pushed back in or disappears when you lie down. Coughing or straining may make the lump appear.

When should I worry about hernia pain?

Seek immediate care if a hernia bulge turns red, purple or dark or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia. See your doctor if you have a painful or noticeable bulge in your groin on either side of your pubic bone.

Can a hernia cause flank pain?

Signs and Symptoms Individuals suffering from a lumbar hernia may be completely asymptomatic. If symptoms are present, they include back or flank pain or a dragging sensation. Left untreated, lumbar hernias can grow to large proportions.

Can Xrays show herniated disc?

X-rays. Plain X-rays don’t detect herniated disks, but they can rule out other causes of back pain, such as an infection, tumor, spinal alignment issues or a broken bone.

Is it hard to walk with a herniated disc?

While a slipped disc can occur anywhere along the spine, it most commonly develops in the lumbar or cervical spine. Many people experience disc herniation with no pain or symptoms. However, a slipped disc can also cause significant pain, weakness and difficulty walking or standing.

How long can you wait to have surgery for a hernia?

Research shows that most people with hernias have surgery within 10 years. Keep in mind that delaying surgery until your hernia is larger and the muscles are weaker may make surgery and recovery more difficult.

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.

Can a hernia make you tired?

Weakness. A feeling of muscle fatigue and weakness in the upper leg and groin can be a sign of a hernia.

How painful is a hernia?

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.

Do you need a catheter after hernia surgery?

After the Procedure Some men may have problems passing urine after hernia surgery. If you have problems urinating, you may need a catheter. This is a thin flexible tube that is inserted into your bladder for a short time to drain urine.

Can a hernia be on your left side?

Also, most of the Amyand’s hernias occur on the right side, because of the anatomical position of appendix. On the other hand, left-sided Amyand’s hernias may be associated with situs inversus, intestinal malrotation or a mobile cecum[4,5].

Can hernia heal itself?

Hernias don’t go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

Does hernia feel like pulled muscle?

The pain is similar, but hernias often create a telltale lump beneath the skin. If you’re an active person, you may attribute pain in the lower abdomen or groin to a muscle strain, especially if you experienced that kind of injury when you were younger.

What happens if you don't treat a hernia?

Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated, they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.

How do you know when a hernia is getting worse?

1. Sudden or worsening pain. Some hernias cause pain or sensations like aching, heaviness, or weakness. If you notice sudden pain or pain that’s gotten significantly worse, it could be a sign of a severe hernia complication called strangulation.

Does a hernia make you look fat?

Appearance. The hernia will look like a bulge or bump in the scrotum or groin region. Standing or bearing down with force will often make the bulge more noticeable. The bulge typically takes time to appear, but it can form suddenly after coughing, lifting heavy weights, straining, bending, or laughing.

What kind of surgeon does hernias?

What type of doctor treats hernias? Your primary care provider can diagnose a hernia. In most cases, your doctor will refer you to a general surgeon for a surgery evaluation.