A hernia is an injury that develops when an organ or soft tissue bulges out of its normal position in your abdomen. It pushes through a weak point in the surrounding muscles or connective tissue, creating a visible lump in your abdomen, groin, or upper thigh.
Most hernias start small. They may not even cause noticeable symptoms, prompting many people to wonder whether their hernia will heal on its own.
It’s a question we hear a lot, and unfortunately, the answer is generally no. Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, and our team in San Clemente, California, specialize in hernia repair, and we’re here to answer all your questions.
Your abdominal muscles and a type of connective tissue called fascia work hard to hold your organs in place. But sometimes, structural weaknesses develop in those supportive muscles, or fascia, either due to genetics, injury, or overuse.
When a weak spot appears, your internal organs or fatty tissue can start pushing through and a hernia develops. Your body can’t repair the weak spot on its own, which means your hernia won’t go away without medical intervention.
In fact, untreated hernias often continue getting bigger, not smaller. It is possible that some hernias don’t cause any symptoms, but even if they don’t necessitate immediate treatment, they’re unlikely to heal on their own.
Most hernias aren’t life-threatening, but they can still be uncomfortable. If you have a hernia, Dr. Klause evaluates the severity of your condition to determine the best course of treatment.
Small hernias may not require surgery right away. We often recommend watchful waiting and some self-care measures to manage any discomfort you experience.
To help make you more comfortable in daily life, we may recommend avoiding heavy lifting, reducing strain on your belly and groin, or wearing a supportive device, like a hernia belt.
But note that nonsurgical care won’t cure your hernia or prevent it from getting larger or more symptomatic over time.
The only way to permanently treat a hernia is through surgery. Dr. Klause repairs your hernia by repositioning your organs and tissues and reinforcing the weak point in your muscles or fascia.
The best surgical method for you depends on a variety of factors, including the location and severity of your hernia, but most people are good candidates for minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia repair.
Laparoscopic hernia repair offers a number of benefits compared to traditional open surgery. It’s less invasive, comes with a lower risk of complications, and allows for faster recovery times.
You’ll need to recover for a few weeks following surgery. This may involve taking time off work and avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity. We schedule follow-up appointments with Dr. Klause and our team to monitor your progress, and most of our patients are able to return to their normal activities within a few weeks of surgery.
If you have a hernia, it won’t heal on its own, but you do have treatment options. To learn more, contact us at 949-245-6910 or request a consultation online.
