Inguinal Hernia Repair - Recovery Timetable
| Day | Pain Level | Work & School | Activity at Home & Work | Exercise & Sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1-7 1st Week |
Mild pain may require oral prescribed pain medications (analgesic) | Patients can do light duties if available eg working from home on laptop | No important plans or events should be considered for this time period. Only basic daily functions should be performed such as walking around the house, visiting the store, eating at home. Take care getting out of bed - push up from side. | Can do gentle walking |
| Day 8-14 2nd Week |
Occasional discomfort, some stiffness or soreness. Pain medication may still be required | Patients may be able to return to work or school but avoid repetitive bending and lifting more than one can comfortably lift with biceps alone | Patients will be able to resume most activities around home and work that do not include lifting more than they can comfortably lift with upper arms alone. Can resume driving a car as long as have valid licence, insurance cover, not on opioid medications and is comfortable driving. Pilots would need clearance by CASA doctors. | Gentle activity within the limits of comfort. Avoid bending and lifting |
| Day 14-21 3rd Week |
Occasional discomfort, some stiffness or soreness. Pain medication generally not required | All patients will be able to return to work or school but with lifting limitations to what the can comfortably lift with biceps alone. | Return to normal home and work activities without heavy lifting (do not strain the groin) | Increase activities eg Jogging, cycling. Can start swimming once wound heals. Golf - can start putting and chipping |
| After Week 3 | Little or no discomfort, oral medicines are no longer usually required | Patients will be able to perform most activities at work or school. Still only limited to 75% until feeling normal again. | Return to most normal home and work activities except heavy lifting or repetitive bending | Can do most exercises - but avoid lifting heavy weights that can strain groin. |
| After Week 6 |
Minimal or no discomfort from the surgical incision (note - if there is preexisting groin pain before the hernia repair from musculoskeletal injury - that may take longer to recover) |
Fully active | All activities - although need to comply with Worksafe rules to prevent a new hernia especially on the other side |
All activities Professional sportspersons are to follow the instructions of their team physiotherapist and team doctor especially if preexisting musculoskeletal groin pain |
