ICD-10 Code K41 – Femoral hernia (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K41 – Femoral hernia
What it is
K41 identifies a femoral hernia, which occurs when tissue pushes through the femoral canal in the upper thigh near the groin. It is a specific groin hernia and may be reducible or incarcerated.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings include a groin or upper thigh bulge below the inguinal ligament, discomfort, or pain that may worsen with standing, coughing, or straining.
When to use this code
Use K41 when the provider documents a femoral hernia without further detail. Code it for unilateral or bilateral cases only if the record clearly identifies the side or laterality. If the note describes obstruction or gangrene, confirm the documented subtype before final coding.
Do not use for
Do not use K41 for inguinal, umbilical, or other non-femoral hernias. If documentation only says “groin hernia” or is unclear, check documentation before assigning this code.
Coding tip
Look for the term “femoral” in the operative note, imaging report, or assessment, because groin hernias are often documented by location rather than by code.