A person lying on a couch suffering from hernia pain.

Hernia Repair

Maybe you just have a small lump in your groin, belly or chest. Or maybe it’s a painful bulge that won’t go away.

No matter what, it can be tough to ignore an uncomfortable hernia. You may notice that it’s hard to do things you once took for granted — like walking your dog, going for a long car ride, sitting at your desk or even standing for more than a few minutes. And even though a hernia isn’t usually dangerous, it won’t go away on its own and can get bigger and more painful if left untreated.

You need expert care to get you back to your norm, and that’s what we do at Cleveland Clinic. Our team specializes in repairing hernias, often with minimally invasive procedures that are easier on you and help you feel better, faster. We can get you back on the road or hiking the trails with your dog sooner than you think.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Hernia Care?

Specialized knowledge:

Cleveland Clinic is one of the first hernia programs in the nation to offer all types of hernia repair. We treat thousands of people with hernias each year — from the most routine types to complex open and repeat surgeries. We also do post-surgery treatment, including chronic groin pain treatment. People come from across the country and around the world for our expert care.

Minimally invasive options:

Our team uses minimally invasive techniques (smaller cuts) like laparoscopy and robotic surgery whenever possible. That means you can recover faster. Our surgeons also specialize in the latest techniques, like abdominal wall reconstruction. Meet our team.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Convenient care:

We know how busy life can be. That’s why we want to make your healthcare work for you. With over 15 locations across Ohio and locations in Florida, you can receive hernia treatment close to home. Virtual visits let you and your provider meet one-on-one using a smartphone, tablet or computer — from home, work or even your favorite coffee shop.

Hernia Repair at Cleveland Clinic

At your appointment, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They can usually see or feel a bulge where the hernia is when they do the physical exam. They may also do a CT scan to make sure they know exactly where your hernia is, how big it is and if it’s growing.

Your hernia care team

Diagnosing and repairing hernias is often a team effort. Our skilled and compassionate providers will work together — and with you — to confirm your diagnosis and personalize your treatment. Your care team may include:

Surgeons specializing in hernia repair.
Physician assistants and certified nurse practitioners.
Radiologists.
Anesthesiologists.
Pain management specialists.

If you need a large repair, your team might also include plastic surgeons and colorectal surgeons (surgeons who treat conditions of the large intestine) to make sure you get the best care possible.

Providers Who Treat Hernias

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Hernia Repair at Cleveland Clinic

After we learn more about your hernia, we’ll design a personalized care plan to lower the risk of your hernia coming back (recurrence). Treatment often includes hernia repair surgery to put the slipped tissue back where it belongs — and close your abdominal wall to keep it in place. There are three main types of hernia repair surgery. Your surgery will depend on what kind of hernia you have, how big it is and where it’s located. Your provider may recommend:

Open surgery: We make a cut in your groin, put the tissue back in place and stitch the weakened abdominal wall back together.
Laparoscopic surgery: In this minimally invasive procedure, we use a thin tube with a tiny video camera connected to it. It’s placed in a small cut near your belly button. The video camera shows pictures of the inside of your body on TV screens in the operating room so your provider can see and repair your hernia.
Robotic surgery: This procedure is similar to laparoscopic surgery except your provider controls the surgical instruments at a console in the operating room. Robotic surgery lets your provider get excellent 3D pictures of the inside of your abdomen.

Hernia repairs with mesh

Mesh can sometimes help your provider repair your hernia. We’ll choose the right type of mesh for your needs and use the latest research-based surgery techniques to place it in your abdominal wall.

Abdominal wall reconstruction

Complex hernias (ones that can’t be repaired with surgery or that have come back) sometimes need reconstructive techniques to close large abdominal tissue openings. Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons are specialists in these complicated hernia repairs. And after the procedure, you’ll work with experts in pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation to help you recover.

If your hernia comes back

Even after surgery to repair them, some hernias come back. If you get a hernia again, it may be larger and more complex than your original one. It happens. And there’s hope. Our expert team will use special techniques to treat your hernia to help you get lasting relief.

Taking the Next Step

Don’t ignore the warning signs. If you feel a lump in your belly, groin or chest — painful or not — get it checked out right away. Untreated hernias can lead to bigger problems down the road. Talk with our experts about your options, including minimally invasive procedures to repair your hernia. We want to get you back to enjoying a full life as soon as possible.