Did the doctor check me for a hernia right?

Question

Ok, well I went to get a regular physical for a work permit and the "doesn't know what he is doing" doctor wasn't going to check me for a hernia until he was pushing on my right lower side and I had alot of pain there. When he said he was going to check me, he had me drop my drawers and he pushed with his index fingers on both sides of the base of my penis, but he didn't grab my testicals. He did make me cough, but didn't make me turn my head. The basic reason I am asking this question is because when I was very little maybe 3 years old, I had a hernia and it was removed. It was on my left side, in the groin. I still have the scar but I am prone to have these, and I am just wondering if I should get a differen't doctor to check me out? I don't plan on playing any sports, but I do want to know if I have a hernia. If I lay down, and push on my lower left adominal, I feel this dual pain? Any help would be greatly appreciated? Thanks-

Answer 1

His method is fine. The other version does the same thing, all it does is allow the finger to slip behind a layer of fat to better feel for a herniated muscle. It does however limit the scope of exploration. (The cough just makes you tighten your abdominal muscles, to better feel for any rupture of the wall. Turning your head has no effect, other than keeping an particulates from landing on his head) .
Sounds as if you dont have a hernia. However if the pain persists for more than 3 days, do see a doctor.

Answer 2

He should be pushing up in the area beside the base of the penis and the testicles, which sounds about like what he did. Touching your testicles would be part of a check for testicular cancer (looking for odd, hard lumps), which is something you should be doing for yourself as well anyway.

The coughing is to push your abdominal cavity down onto his finger. If you have a hernia, he'll feel an unusual bulge when you do that. And the turning your head is just so you don't cough in his face...if he doesn't care, then you shouldn't either.

There are several different types of hernias...sounds like you had one kind (removed when you were 3), and he was checking for a different kind. There's nothing wrong with that...maybe he just thought that you might be prone to all kinds of hernias and decided to check "just to be sure".

I can't say if you have some sort of issue with the old hernia repair that he didn't evaluate properly. You'd need to see another doctor to chase that one to ground.

Answer 3

A checkup by a different doctor wouldn't be a bad choice - especially if you're dissatisfied with the first doctor. I'd tell your parents your concerns about the efficiency of your last doctor and mention the constant dull pain in your lower left side. And even if you're not playing sports, the potential of a recurring hernia is not something you should ignore.