Q. Is it safe for someone with an inguinal hernia along with pain in the hip, waistline, and groin area to undergo surgery with mesh?

Hello doctor,

I had an ultrasound three days back that revealed a right inguinal hernia. I do not have a tummy tuck. It is referred to as a sports hernia. My surgery is to happen in six months. I also have a labral tear in my right hip. I have pain in both places. In addition to the hip pain, there is pain around the waist and halfway down into the pubis. For my hip arthroscopy, the doctor referred me to the general surgeon for the ultrasound because the cortisone shot he gave me in the hip only provided four hours of relief. My hip began to hurt again after the numbing effect of the cortisone shot wore off. So the plan is to perform the hernia surgery first to see if it alleviates the waistline, groin, and hip pain. Otherwise, the hip will be re-evaluated. They are performing open hernia surgery with a small amount of mesh. Is this the best way to proceed? Also, could the hernia be causing some of the hip pain and catching I am experiencing? Because the hip shot did not relieve me, they will not perform both procedures simultaneously and will perform the hernia first. Please advice.

Hello doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

How long will my recovery from an open with mesh take? My doctor told me two weeks ago that I could not lift anything heavier than 20 pounds for six weeks.