An individual suffering from a sports hernia needs to be very cautious about the physical rehabilitation that he goes through. Failure to recover will mean that a surgery is required, and even though the success rate for sports hernia surgery is high, there are several unforeseen complications that could arise…
Sports hernias are extremely common amongst athletes and sportsmen around the world, and in some cases, a surgery is the only option to get rid of the ailment completely. Sports hernias are typically caused when the athlete twists muscles in his groin and adductor area, so the damage that is sustained can be pretty serious and long-lasting. As a result of this, the athlete may suffer from a relapse a few months later when he resumes full intensity physical activities, and this can permanently weaken these very muscles in his body.
Surgery for people suffering from this condition is usually considered to be the last resort in order to prevent further damage from occurring. Doctors usually advise the injured individual to rest for a few weeks and refrain from any physical activity, and they also suggest some suitable rehabilitation exercises and cures. In most cases, these solutions work effectively and the injured individual gets rid of his problem. But when the damage is too severe, or the individual resumes strenuous physical activities too soon, then the pain will reappear and in all likelihood it will be worse. This is when a surgery will be necessary.
Types of Surgeries
The success rate of this surgery is very high, but doctors still prefer to give the patient some time to undergo physical rehabilitation instead. If that option has been exhausted, then the doctor has to choose between two different types of surgeries, and this will depend on the symptoms that the patient shows. The first method is known as the direct incisional surgery, or the open operation, and this method is generally preferred by doctors and surgeons. In this kind of surgery, the surgeon simply sews the inguinal tear together, and the patient is only given a local anesthetic for the same. This process is less complicated and less risky than the other operation.
The second method involves the placement of a tension-free mesh inside the tear with the help of laparoscopic surgery. The mesh is made of light plastic and it needs to be placed over and under the tear and then stapled down. The procedure can be risky in the future because it cannot be predicted how the body and the neighboring tissues would react to this external agent. In severe cases, the mesh can get shaken inside when the patient resumes physical activities, and this could cause some seriously dangerous circumstances. Moreover, the patient may even feel the mesh inside when he climbs stairs or performs certain tasks, and this is not a very pleasant sensation.
Risks Involved
Both these surgical methods do have their downsides though, and this is what makes this operation the last resort for doctors. When the inguinal hernia tear is sewn together, the thread stays stationary under tension. But some changes in the body, or other factors, could cause these stitches to tear at any point in the future. On the other hand, if there is a mesh inside, it could get entwined with certain nerves and tissues and cause complications. Both the methods are not entirely fool proof, and this is why physical rehabilitation is necessary.
In some cases, sexual dysfunction has been a common complaint after surgery. This is something that cannot be predicted, so one should be wary of any pain that arises in the area after the surgery, and visit the doctor immediately. There are several other neurological reasons why pain and numbness can also be present in the area, and the only way to fix this is to be alert and revisit the doctor as often as possible. Chronic pain is a very real danger, and no patient should be forced to live with this issue.
A certain rest period will be necessary after the surgery has been completed, and certain exercises and movements will also be recommended by the doctor. These should be adhered to if the patient does not want a relapse or some other complication. At the end of the day, if adequate care is taken, the patient will make a full recovery and be able to carry out all the physical activities that he could earlier.
