Lumbar hernia following blunt injury abdomen: delayed diagnosis still a concern

Lumbar hernia is a rare condition and can occur due to blunt injury following motor cycle accident. The condition can result in chronic pain and small unrecognisable swelling. Delay in diagnosis can occur in such cases and result in poor quality of life for years. We report a case of lumbar hernia which occurred following blunt injury and was not diagnosed until five years after its first presentation. Computerized Tomography (CT) scan along with clinical findings confirmed the diagnosis. Patient underwent successful herniorraphy using a prolene mesh. Timely diagnosis is desirable in case of lumbar hernia not only because it is associated with serious bowel complications but also because associated chronic pain results in poor quality of life. High index of clinical suspicion along with imaging modalities can clinch the diagnosis. Repair using a mesh can be performed for the condition.