An incarcerated hernia is one where something is stuck inside of the hernia sac. A patient usually describes a history of always having a buldge in a particular area. That bulge sometimes becomes larger and smaller depending on activity and position. Some patients can even push the bulge back into its normal location in the body. A typical description of incarceration is when a patient describes a bulge that was previously reducible (meaning it got smaller either on its own or with pushing) and now is no longer reducible.

When a hernia becomes incarcerated (when something gets stuck inside a hernia) this is considered an emergency and you need to call your doctor or go to the closest hospital.

Hernias do not typically cause sharp pain but they do can cause discomfort. In hernias of the groin, this discomfort is often described as a nagging, vague pain that sometimes extends into the testicle or down the thigh. There are some situations however when hernias can cause severe pain and are considered an emeregency. This is when a piece of intestine becomes stuck inside of a hernia and is called incarceration.