Question: should I get this hernia operated?

Hey Ron,

Hate to be the one saying yes, but ( for lack of a better term ) YES. I hit an idiotic pedestrian Dec.26 08 crossing the road, saw me ran back the other way, I knicked his shoulder and went down, pretty hard. Funniest thing, It took about 2-3 months to totally recall exactly what happened. Cruised to my LBS as it was 75 metres away from the accident location. They called my wife who took me to hospital.

To the point. I hyperextended apparently and severely strained the left adductor and left inguinal resulting in an inguinal tear and hernia. Additionally strained lower abdominals and severe concussion. Thank God for my Giro helmet at the time (had to throw it after that of course).

Anyway, after a night in hospital to monitor my incredibly advanced brain and generally ignoring my groin pain I was released the follwing afternoon. Visited my trusty physio, who analyzed and worked on me off and on for 3 months. She advised I go see a sports doc if it did not improve within 6-8 weeks from the time of the accident.

Looking back through my training log, I could not cycle for 2 months, spinning after 33 days, running after 37 days, swimming was immediate but with VERY gentle push offs and poor reach.

Running was the real problem. I recall the first 6-10 weeks of running were painful, unnatural and forced. I kept chipping away and 3 months after the accident I was running at +_80% of norm. After 6 months 90-95%. Now I am 99% but it does get sore on long runs (1h.45+) and fast/hard efforts. Not unbearable, but noticeable. During IronMan Canada 8 months after the accident, it did hurt 25km's onwards in the run.

In retrospect, I should have gotten it correctly attended to and sorted immediately. I am sure it will come back to haunt me in later years.

I did a fair amount of research at the time and I believe I started a thread back then as well, also seeking advice. The general concensus was to avoid surgery if possible, get a 2nd or 3rd opinion and if necessary bite the bullet and get er' dun !

Good luck dude !