A 41-year-old member asked:
Can an abdominal hernia rupture by pushing it back in?
4 doctor answers • 20 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alexander Barkananswered
General Surgery 25 years experience
Stuck hernia?: It will usually not ruptue. If it hurts and there is reddness around the area do not try to push it back in because the there might be bowel stuck and it can be damaged. So best thing to do is go to an emergency room if a hernia gets "stuck".
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Camil Saderanswered
General Surgery 24 years experience
Unusually so: Hernias typically should not rupture when pushed back in. In fact, it is recommended that they remain in so they do not strangulate. Rupture of the contents of a hernia, especially if it's intestine, could happen when strangulation ensues. That's when the blood supply is choked and the tissue dies. Hernias that cannot be reduced (pushed back in) need to be addressed by a surgeon urgently.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Scott Groveranswered
Surgery 27 years experience
Possibly: A hernia can rupture if the protruding contents are pushed back in, but it does not happen often. The hernia stays the same size, but what comes through (bowel or fat) may swell and cause pain. If it swells too much it becomes painful. If you cannot push it back in you need to go to the er now. If they can't push it back in, you have to have it fixed before further problems develop.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Sharmila Dissanaikeanswered
General Surgery 22 years experience
No: Reducing an abdominal hernia is safe, as long as it moves freely and can be reduced without excessive force. If it is "stuck", then you need to see a surgeon immediately.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 24, 2019
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