The Alexandra Hospital
Mill Lane, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 2PX DirectionsPhone
Opening hours
Mon - Sun: 24-hours
Due to COVID restrictions no visitors are currently allowed
Car parking
Yes - 440 spaces
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Expert treatment to repair hernias, including surgery for inguinal, femoral, umbilical and hiatus hernias,
A hernia happens when an internal part of your body pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or tissue. Some can’t be seen, but others show as a lump or cause redness. Hernia symptoms include pain, swelling and discomfort, though many people don’t experience any side effects.
Most hernias happen somewhere between the shoulders and hips. They are more common in men but women also experience hernias. The most common type is an inguinal hernia. It’s thought that about 27% of men and around 3% of women will develop an inguinal hernia at some point in their life.i
Hernia surgery aims to correct the problem by moving the misplaced part back into the right place, fixing the weakness that allowed it to push through, and sometimes reinforcing your tissue so that everything stays in place.
Hernias come under the specialty of General Surgery. The type of doctor who treats hernias is called a General Surgeon.
Find out more about hernias
For many people, a hernia will not present with symptoms. For others, symptoms could include:
If you are at all worried that you might have a hernia, you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible. Occasionally, hernias can cause serious complications, so it is always good to get them checked out.
Below we’ve gone into more detail on the types we see most commonly at The Alexandra Hospital.
An inguinal hernia occurs when a section of your bowel such as your intestine, or abdominal fatty tissue, pushes through a weak spot within your abdominal wall and into your inguinal canal (a tunnel that runs through your abdominal wall). There are two types of inguinal hernias: indirect inguinal hernias and direct inguinal hernias. You may know the inguinal area better by it’s common name: the groin.
An indirect inguinal hernia forms when the internal entrance to your inguinal canal, which normally closes after you are born, remains open. In most cases, an indirect inguinal hernia is diagnosed before a baby’s first birthday. But it is possible for this hernia to appear in your adulthood.
A direct inguinal hernia is more prevalent among adults. It develops when a part of your bowel bulges through a weak spot in your abdominal muscles and into your groin. This type of inguinal hernia tends to happen as we age, because the muscles around your abdomen (tummy) weaken as you become older.
Inguinal hernias account for around 70% of all hernias in the UK.ii
Like inguinal hernias, femoral hernias also happen when part of the bowel or fatty tissue pokes through from your abdomen and into your groin. They are much less common, affecting mainly women. They are thought to happen due to repeated strain on the stomach, and so are more likely to happen as we get older.
An umbilical hernia is a painless lump that appears in or close to your belly button. This type of most hernia is most common in infants and children. They are usually caused by a failure of the umbilical cord and naval to close after birth, which is a common occurrence. In most babies, this will naturally repair itself after a couple of months. If this doesn’t happen, it can be fixed with surgery.
With a hiatus hernia, also known as a hiatal hernia, a part of your stomach pushes up into your chest through a weakness in your diaphragm. It’s not known what causes this type of hernia, however they are thought to be linked to obesity and old age.
Femoral hernias do not always cause symptoms. However, many people do experience symptoms, including:
The nature of femoral hernias makes it important to have them treated as soon as possible. Surgery will usually be recommended.
This should stop the hernia from popping out again.
Umbilical hernias can present with symptoms including:
Abdominal bloating
If an umbilical hernia does not naturally heal, it can be treated with abdominal surgery. This will normally be done using a keyhole (laparoscopic) operation because it is less invasive and allows for a faster recovery. This will be done under general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep the whole time.
This price does not include your initial consultation or any tests you might have a that point. It does include the cost of all following appointments with your Consultant as well as any hospital fees. If you need aftercare, this will also be included.
The cost of your treatment at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester can be paid through your private medical insurance or using our flexible payment plans. For further information,
visit our payment option page.
*These prices are just given as a guide and only apply to self-funding patients. The cost for each individual will depend on their personal circumstances. You will always be given a fixed price in writing before any treatment takes place.
The main symptoms experienced by people with hiatal hernias are to do with the stomach. They can include:
Severe cases can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Many of these symptoms can be managed using anti-reflux medications and treatments that reduce your production of stomach acid.
The cost of your treatment at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester can be paid through your private medical insurance or using our flexible payment plans. For further information,
visit our payment option page.
*These prices are just given as a guide and only apply to self-funding patients. The cost for each individual will depend on their personal circumstances. You will always be given a fixed price in writing before any treatment takes place.
There is a low risk of developing a blood clot after hernia repair surgery. But your Consultant might give you blood thinners to further minimise this risk. You could also experience severe bruising (haematoma) but this should resolve with time.
If you have suffered complications from your hernia, The Alexandra Hospital’s private urgent care centre allows you to access immediate treatment. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists will assess your symptoms and decide on the best treatment option for you.
If you would like to learn more, you can call our team directly or book your appointment online today.
Consultant Vascular Surgeon
MB, BS, MSc FRCS, FRCS(Gen)
The Alexandra Hospital 1 more The Beaumont Hospital
Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon
MBBS, MD, FRCS
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant General & Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
MBBS MD FRCS(Eng) FRCS(Gen)
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant General and HPB Surgeon
MD Specialist in General Surgery
The Highfield Hospital 1 more The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon
BSc (Hons) MD FRCS FRCS (Gen-Surg)
The Alexandra Hospital
Consultant General, HPB and Laparoscopic Surgeon
BSc(Hons) MBChB (Hons) MD PGCertEd FHEA FRCS
The Alexandra Hospital