If you suspect you may have a hernia, it’s important to determine the type before you can seek treatment. If you play a lot of sport, it’s possible you could be suffering from a sports hernia, rather than a regular hernia. So, what’s the difference and how will it affect treatment?

Find out everything you need to know about sports vs regular hernias below…

What is a sports hernia?

Sports hernias, otherwise known as Athletic Pubalgia Syndrome, occur when the tendons or muscles of the abdomen weaken. Those with a strong core may think they are protected against this type of hernia. However, they occur more in those with thinner, rather than weaker muscles.

They tend to occur due to twisting and changing direction during athletic activity, and affect both men and women. Sports hernias are particularly prevalent in football players, ballet dancers, hockey players, and golfers.

What’s the difference?

A sports hernia develops in the same region as a regular hernia. However, there are some differences to be aware of. Regular, or Inguinal hernias, occur solely within the Inguinal canal. Sports hernias on the other hand, can occur anywhere within the abdominal area.

Sports hernias also don’t present a visible pouch like Inguinal hernias do. This can make them tricky to diagnose. However, there are other symptoms to watch out for including:

• Pain within the abdominal area when carrying out activity
• Testicle pain in men
• Hip pain
• Pain reduction when resting from sport

These are the main symptoms to watch out for. If you suspect you do have a sports hernia, it is important to first seek diagnosis before you can undergo treatment.

Treatment options

There are several treatment options available to treat a sports hernia, depending upon its severity. For very mild hernias, you may just need a period of rest. However, most hernias will not clear up on their own without treatment.

Physical therapy can be useful at strengthening the muscles and improving flexibility. This will help to prevent future hernias. You may also be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce any pain and swelling.

In severe cases, you may need to undergo surgery. This will involve either an open or an endoscopic procedure to repair the torn tissues. Around 90% of patients who undergo this treatment return to their sport. However, some patients have a recurrence of the hernia in their sport, and the surgical repair needs to be repeated.

In some cases, the pain may not go away after the initial surgical procedure. If your pain doesn’t reside, a secondary procedure may be carried out to cut the tendon or nerve in the affected area.

Sports hernias and regular hernias are very similar. But it is mostly where they occur that differentiates them. Book a consultation and speak to Mr Alan Woodward if you have any questions about hernia surgery.

After a hernia surgery, rehabilitation is key to your recovery. However, did you know there are things you can do before the procedure to reduce the risks?

Prehabilitation can help to prepare the body for surgery, aiding in overall recovery. Although hernia surgery tends to be minimally invasive, it isn’t without its risks and complications.

Here, we will explore why prehabilitation is important if you want to aid recovery after undergoing hernia surgery.

What is hernia surgery?

Hernia surgery is an effective way to eliminate large, problematic hernias. Most hernias will require surgery to remove them. There are several ways the procedure can be carried out including an open or a keyhole approach.

During keyhole surgery the surgeon will make a small incision through which a small camera and specialised tools will be used to carry out the repair. The bulge will be pushed back into place before mesh is used to secure and strengthen the area.

Understanding the risks and complications

There are some risks and complications that can lead to a poor recovery after a hernia repair. The most common risk factors include:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Lack of core muscle strength
• Diabetes

Obesity and smoking are particularly known to increase the risk of a poor recovery. The good news is most of these risk factors can be reduced with a good prehabilitation program.

How can prehabilitation help?

Prehabilitation refers to getting the body in peak condition prior to undergoing surgery. The healthier you are when you go under the knife, the less likely you will be to experience potential risks and complications.

So, what does it involve? This will ultimately vary from patient to patient. Surgeons can set up a customised prehabilitation program for any patient that will benefit. This could include dietary changes, cutting down on alcohol, quitting smoking, and increasing physical activity.

Surgeons who do have prehabilitation programs in place have seen a drastic reduction in side effects after a hernia repair. This includes a reduced risk of infection and reoccurrence.

However, you don’t have to rely on a surgical prehabilitation program alone. Making healthier lifestyle choices will ultimately help to reduce the risks involved.

How long does it take to recover from hernia surgery?

Recovery from a hernia repair will typically take between three and six weeks. You should ideally wait a couple of weeks before getting back to your usual daily routine.

After the procedure, you will likely experience some level of pain, redness, and swelling. You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications to ease these symptoms. It is also worth noting that the type of hernia repair you undergo will also impact recovery.

Your surgeon will provide full aftercare instructions to help ease discomfort and aid in recovery.

If you are looking to reduce the risks of hernia repair surgery, consider prehabilitation. Book a consultation with Mr Woodward today to plan for your hernia repair with an effective prehabilitation program.

If you are scheduled to undergo an inguinal hernia repair, you may be wondering if it is better to use local or general anaesthetic. Both have pros and cons, but ultimately Mr Woodward will determine which is right for you.

Here, we will look at whether a local anaesthetic could be the best option. You will also learn more about the inguinal hernia repair process.

What is an inguinal hernia repair?

Inguinal hernias are the most common types of hernia which most patients develop. Appearing as a lump or swelling within the groin, they can cause pain and discomfort. An inguinal hernia repair aims to eliminate the hernia through surgery.

The goal of the surgery is to push the bulge back into its correct position. The weakened abdominal wall will then be strengthened to prevent a future hernia. However, there is a risk it could return later on.

There are two different surgical methods that can be used including open and laparoscopic procedures. The type of anaesthetic used will depend upon the method being carried out.

Which type of anaesthetic is typically used?

Both local and general anaesthetic may be used in an Inguinal hernia repair. Local anaesthesia keeps you awake during the procedure, whereas general anaesthetic puts you to sleep.

There are advantages and disadvantages of both, but with local anaesthetic the recovery is typically quicker.

A recent study revealed local anaesthetic was the best choice for the procedure due to its cost effectiveness, reduced pain after the procedure, and quicker recovery. It looked at the safety of using local anaesthetic in emergency inguinal hernia repairs.

The results of the study showed that local anaesthetic was just as safe in emergency procedures, especially when the possibility of bowel resection is limited.

Which type of anaesthetic is right for you?

The type of anaesthetic used in an inguinal hernia repair will greatly depend on a few factors. Mr Woodward will discuss with you your different treatment options during the consultation, when you can also talk about any concerns and ask questions.

It is important to note that both local and general anaesthetics are safe to use. There may be some benefits of opting for local anaesthetic in certain types of repairs, but Mr Woodward can advise which type would be most suited to your hernia repair.

Book a consultation with Mr Woodward to discuss your hernia repair anaesthetic options.

With spring well and truly underway, you might be gearing up for that annual spring clean. While giving the home or garage a thorough seasonal clean can be great for the mind and body, it can also lead to muscle strain injuries.

Some people have even brought on a hernia doing a spring clean. So, why could cleaning the home cause or aggravate a hernia?

What causes a hernia?

Hernias develop when fatty tissue or an organ pushes through weak spots in surrounding tissue or muscle. There are different types of hernias you can develop, such as inguinal, femoral, and hiatal. Inguinal hernias are the most common, affecting the inner groin. They tend to be more common in men who are naturally weaker within this area.

There are many causes of hernias with some of the most common including:

• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Incorrect lifting of heavy objects
• Persistent sneezing or coughing

Smoking, a poor diet, and obesity all cause the muscles to weaken, increasing the risk of developing a hernia.

All hernias are basically caused by pressure placed onto the weakened muscles and tissue. So, vigorous exercise could also contribute; particularly if you are getting back to exercise after a long period of time off.

The danger of exercising with an existing hernia

While it is possible to work out safely with a hernia, it can be potentially dangerous. Ideally, you should get the hernia repaired before you consider regular exercise. You should also be especially wary of carrying out core exercises which put a strain on the abdomen.

What are your treatment options?

If you are diagnosed with a hernia, there are several treatment options available. Surgery tends to be most effective, and there are a number of techniques the surgeon can use.

Laparoscopic techniques are minimally invasive procedures that allow the surgeon to work through small incisions. This type of procedure tends to result in a shorter recovery time, and fewer complications. However, not all patients will be suitable candidates for this type of surgery.

Another option is open surgery. This type of procedure is especially ideal for patients who have large or several hernias. Those who have had abdominal surgery previously may also need the open technique. This is because using a minimally invasive technique could prove dangerous due to the scar tissue left over from the previous surgery.

With both techniques, mesh is typically used to reinforce and secure the hernia. This helps to prevent the issue from recurring. Not all hernia repairs will require mesh, but your surgeon will let you know what your surgery will involve.

So, if you are planning on doing a spring clean, be mindful not to do it too strenuously. If you do have a hernia, it is important to get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening. Hernias do not get better on their own.

Book a consultation and speak to Mr Alan Woodward if you have any questions about hernia surgery.

After undergoing hernia repair surgery, the body needs time to rest and heal. Whether you undergo open surgery or a laparoscopic hernia repair, it is important to focus on your recovery if you want to experience best results.

During your recovery, there are gentle exercises you can do to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know about strengthening your muscles after surgery.

Understanding the different hernia repair surgery methods

The surgery repair method used will determine what type of recovery you can expect. With open surgery, an incision will be made within the groin. The hernia is then identified, and it will be pushed back into the abdomen before the abdominal wall is strengthened with mesh or stitches. You will typically need to wait for 4-6 weeks before you can return to strenuous exercise.

With laparoscopic surgery, a small incision will be made at the belly button. A laparoscope which is connected to a small camera, will then be inserted. A harmless gas will be used to inflate the abdomen, giving the surgeon space to clearly see your internal structure. The inner lining of the abdomen will be cut to reveal the weakness in the wall. Mesh is placed on the inner wall to cover up the weakness and strengthen the tissues. Unlike open surgery, the recovery period here will be days, rather than weeks.

Can hernia type impact recovery?

The type of hernia you are repairing can impact recovery time. For example, incisional hernias can take longer to repair, which would increase the time you need to wait before you can return to normal activities.

You can discuss how long the recovery is likely to take, based upon the type of hernia you have, with the surgeon. They will provide full aftercare advice, letting you know when you can return to normal activities.

Whichever type of hernia you have, and which surgery method is used to repair it, you will be advised to avoid strenuous activities for up to six weeks.

Gentle exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles after surgery

If you want to speed up your recovery, there are some gentle exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles. Before trying any of the exercises mentioned, it is important to discuss them with the surgeon. They will be able to tell you whether the exercises are safe.

The sit-to-stand exercise is a good one to get started with. Simply sit down on the edge of a chair, activating the core muscles. Then, lean forwards so your torso is over your legs, keeping the weight onto the feet. Extend your legs to stand up fully. You can repeat this simple exercise several times throughout the day.

Pelvic floor exercises, seated knee extensions and forward lunges are also good exercises to try. Remember, start off slowly and don’t push yourself. Listen to your body, and your surgeon, in order to build up your abdominal muscle strength safely.