A hernia is the protrusion of a structure through the wall of the cavity containing it. In the context of this website, a hernia is simply the protrusion of the bowel through a hole or weakness in the muscle layer of the wall of the abdomen. There are many different types of hernia, named according to the site of the weakness of the abdominal wall. All hernias may gradually increase in size over time. They can be asymptomatic but may cause symptoms of aching or pain. A lump may or may not be palpable. One of the key concerns is the risk of a hernia becoming obstructed or strangulated. The first signs of this are a sudden increase in pain and tenderness of the hernia. The swelling may increase in size and it may not be possible to reduce the hernia, that is to push the swelling back in.

FAQs Archive - The Hernia Clinic

Q: What happens if I don't have it repaired?

Hernias do tend to get bigger over time. As they get larger they can become more difficult to repair. There is a risk that the contents of a hernia may become trapped, called strangulation of the hernia. This is a painful condition which requires urgent surgical attention.

Q: Is a Sportsman's hernia the same as a Gilmore's groin?

Yes. The condition known as a Sportsman's Hernia has many different names. It was first described by Jerry Gilmore in 1980, following the successful treatment of 3 professional footballers with groin symptoms. Other names for the condition include: Sportsman's groin, Sportsman's Abdominal Wall Syndrome, Gilmore's Groin

Q: How soon can I drive and return to work?

You should not drive for 48 hrs after any general anaesthetic. After hernia surgery, you are advised to have some time off work to recover. I normally advise you to plan to return to work 7 -10 days after surgery. If your job involves manual work with heavy lifting, this time may need to be extended to as long as 4 weeks. If your job is desk-based then you may be able to return slightly earlier, but this will depend upon the speed of your recovery.

Q: Could I have a hernia, even if I can't feel a lump?

A hernia is most commonly identified as a lump, which gets bigger on coughing and disappears when lying flat. However, this is not the case for some individuals, especially in the sportsman. Sometimes the lump can be challenging to feel on oneself, occasionally the diagnosis is only made after further tests such as ultrasound. A true sports hernia can be nothing more than a feeling of weakness around the lower trunk. It could be a pain when trying to walk or maybe just running. The presentation is variable, which is why it makes it tough to diagnose if you do not see them very often.

Q: Do I have to have a general anaesthetic?

No, you do not necessarily need to have a general anaesthetic. For an inguinal hernia, an open repair can be performed in most instances under local anaesthetic, if you prefer. The laparoscopic technique does require a general anaesthetic.

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