Hernia on Hip?

    
      Re: Hernia on Hip?
    


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Posted by HFHSM.D.-tbm on January 20, 1998 at 13:14:06:

In Reply to: Hernia on Hip? posted by Jeannie Osborn on December 22, 1997 at 07:47:16:

: I have had three surgeries on my neck for fusions. They took bone from my right hip two times. The last was a year ago. Now I have a large protrusion on my right hip when I strain or cough. Is it possible to have a hernia on your hip? Thank you in advance.
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Dear J.O.:
Hernias of the abdominal wall develop when there is a point of weakness- or a tear- in the abdominal wall, allowing the internal abdominal organs to protrude through this defect. Hernias can occur naturally, or through weak points of surgical scars. Usually only a small part of bowel, bladder, or fat tissue will protrude. The hernia is usually most noticeable when the intraabdominal pressure increases, such as happens with coughing or straining. Most hernias come to medical attention because of the noticeable bulge, but some people initially present to a doctor with complications such as pain, or strangulation of the hernia contents.
Bone harvested for spinal fusion is most commonly obtained from the iliac bone (hip bone). Chips of bone are most often harvested from the posterior-superior iliac crest (the bump you feel on the back of the hip). Generally, hernias do not develop after harvesting from the iliac bone, because even if there is a weak surgical scar, the hip bone serves as a barrier to herniation of abdominal contents. However, if a large amount of bone was harvested, it is possible that only the bony cortex (envelope) is retained, thus allowing for weakness of the hip in one area. This, coupled with a weakness of the post-surgical abdominal wall, could give rise to a hernia.
I suggest that you tell your primary care physician, or the surgeon who performed the spinal fusion, about your symptoms. An examination of your hip will probably disclose the hernia, if present.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
HFHSM.D.-tbm
keywords: hernia
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