Hernia Remains One of the Most Common Surgical Conditions in the United States
5/22/2026
Kirksville, MO (May 22, 2026) - Hernias continue to represent one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated five million Americans living with the condition. Hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed surgeries nationwide.
A hernia occurs when tissue or an organ pushes past muscle and pops out, creating a bulge. Hernias usually happen in the abdominal area or groin. The bulge can appear when a person’s body is in certain positions or when they’re doing certain physical activities like lifting, coughing or straining. While often painful, hernias that occur without pain should still be evaluated by a medical professional.
Surgeons conduct approximately one million hernia repair procedures in the U.S. each year. Of these, roughly 800,000 procedures are for inguinal hernias, the most common type, with the remaining surgeries addressing ventral, umbilical, and incisional hernias.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, between 30-65% of hernias require scheduled surgery, while 3-5% of cases will require emergency surgery because they’ve caused strangulation or bowel obstruction.
A hernia can become dangerous quickly if it gets trapped and cannot be pushed back into place. “The protruding tissue or organ can lose blood supply and cause tissue damage or death,” says general surgeon Dr. Jacob Guerrant. “If either occurs, the patient may need emergency surgery. If it’s stuck out there, it can swell and compromise blood supply,” Dr. Guerrant explains.
Fortunately, advancements in surgical techniques have improved outcomes and expanded treatment options. Hernia repairs are typically performed using either open surgery or laparoscopic (minimally invasive) methods, with minimally invasive approaches becoming increasingly common due to reduced recovery times, and improved patient comfort.
The use of mesh reinforcement in hernia repair has significantly lowered recurrence rates to less than 10%, and often even lower when procedures are performed using advanced techniques.
Hernias disproportionately affect men, who face a lifetime risk of approximately 27% for developing an inguinal hernia, compared to about 3% for women. However, women may be more likely to experience other types, such as femoral hernias. Age is another contributing factor, with hernias occurring more frequently in individuals over the age of 50, although the condition can affect people at any stage of life.
“Many different factors cause hernia to develop, with the consensus being that both genetics and acquired issues may be involved,” says Dr. Guerrant. “Things that can lead to hernia include lifting heavy objects, excessive straining when using the bathroom, traumatic injury to the abdomen and weakness in the abdominal wall following surgery in the abdomen.”
Given the high incidence and surgical volume, hernia repair remains a routine and well-established component of the U.S. healthcare system, with consistently favorable outcomes for patients.
If you have a family history of hernia or are experiencing a protruding lump, pain or pressure in your abdomen or groin, be sure to talk with your primary care provider to assess the situation to determine if a hernia is present. When appropriate, Northeast Regional Medical Center offers minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical options for hernia repairs.To find a provider, visit www.nermc.com/find-a-doctor.
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