Post hernia surgery. Normal or red flag?

Numbness over the outer aspect of the thigh following hernia surgery can sometimes occur due to irritation, stretching or compression of a nerve during surgery or positioning. One possible cause is irritation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to the outer thigh. This condition is known as meralgia paresthetica. If the numbness is isolated, without pain or muscle weakness, it is usually not an emergency. In many cases, sensation gradually improves over several weeks to months. However, since your mother is 68 years old and the numbness has been present since the first postoperative day, I recommend informing her operating surgeon and arranging a postoperative examination to identify the cause. I would like to know a few more details: Was the hernia surgery performed on the left or right side? Was it an inguinal hernia or an abdominal wall hernia? Was the surgery open or laparoscopic? Is she experiencing only numbness, or is there associated burning sensation, pain or weakness? These details will help determine whether the numbness is likely related to postoperative nerve irritation.

For now: Avoid tight clothing or pressure around the groin. Continue gentle walking as advised by her surgeon. Avoid strenuous activities during the postoperative recovery period. Monitor whether the numbness is improving, worsening or spreading. Warning signs: If she develops weakness of the leg, difficulty walking, severe or increasing pain, significant swelling, fever or worsening neurological symptoms, she should undergo urgent medical evaluation.