Do I Need To Wear A Truss For My Hernia?

This is one of the questions we are most frequently asked, especially by men who feel that their hernia is quite small and insignificant. Our answer is this.

When intestines continue to protrude through a tear or rupture in the abdominal wall, they prevent that tear or rupture from healing itself. It’s like trying to heal a cut while keeping your finger permanently in it.

A good hernia support isn’t just necessary to prevent pain and/or discomfort – it keeps the intestine inside, where it belongs, and so gives the edges of the rupture a chance to come together and hopefully to knit back together again.

To be effective, your hernia support or truss must have pads that remain in contact with your hernia at all times, and do not intrude into the aperture. Rounded pads that bulge inwards can both hinder healing and cause scarring to the edges of the hernia. The Flat Pad Support was designed to support the hernia without intruding into it.

Will Wearing A Support Or Truss Make My Muscles Lazy?
Some individuals are worried that wearing a support will make their muscles lazy. This is completely unfounded and unproven. If it were true, people would not be reporting that their hernias have healed. Wearing a good support for a hernia is like wearing a cast for a broken arm. It keeps everything in the right place to allow the healing process.

An exercise programme is also an important part of healing an inguinal hernia. It is easier to do the exercises if the bulge is controlled by wearing a support.

When Not To Wear A Support
You should not wear a support if your hernia cannot be pushed all the way back in, or if the support causes any pain or discomfort. A hernia that cannot be pushed back in is said to be “incarcerated”. Incarceration occurs when the hernia is out and the gap closes up around it or the muscles tense around it. Strangulation occurs when the gap closes around the intestine so tightly that it cuts off the blood supply. This is a very dangerous condition requiring immediate medical attention.

We have not found any evidence that incarceration or strangulation can occur if the hernia is properly supported and kept in. But as always, do check with your doctor if you are experiencing any discomfort or if you are not sure whether your hernia is properly “in”.

More information about the Flat Pad Support

For more information about whether a hernia can heal itself, please visit this section of our Forum.