clinical examination of inguinal or femoral hernias

Last reviewed 01/2018

If there is a hernia in the groin, the examiner must discriminate between an inguinal hernia and a femoral hernia.

A hernia in the groin should be examined in the following way:

  • observation
  • palpation
  • percussion, auscultaton and transillumination
  • examination of the other side

The following features must be assessed:

  • position
  • tenderness
  • shape
  • size
  • consistency
  • temperature