Hernia

Hernia Surgery

A hernia is a protrusion of an organ, or part of an organ, through the tissue or muscle that normally contains it. Hernias occur when excessive pressure is applied to a weak area of muscle, causing it to give way and allow the organ to bulge through. Hernias are often overuse injuries, commonly seen in athletes, and can be caused by repetitive twisting, sprinting, running, or faulty biomechanics. They may also develop due to extreme weight lifting or persistent coughing or sneezing. Hernias most commonly occur in the abdomen, where they are known as abdominal hernias. In this case, the inner lining of the abdominal wall is torn, resulting in a visible bulge where the organ protrudes.

Abdominal hernias are generally classified into two categories:

  • Inguinal hernias – occur in the groin area when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall.
  • Ventral hernias – occur when tissue pushes through a weakness in the abdominal muscles, often at or near the site of a previous surgical incision.

The main types of abdominal hernias include:

  • Inguinal hernia – protrusion in the groin area, more common in men.
  • Femoral hernia – occurs just below the groin, more common in women.
  • Umbilical hernia – occurs around the navel due to a weakness in the abdominal wall.
  • Incisional hernia – occurs at the site of a previous surgical incision.
  • Hiatal hernia – occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
  • Epigastric hernia – occurs in the upper abdominal wall, between the navel and the chest.

Physiotherapy before Hernia Surgery

Before surgery, physiotherapy can help manage your symptoms and allow you to function as effectively as possible. However, surgery is often essential for a full recovery. Hernias result from weak abdominal muscles, which can cause surrounding structures to tighten in compensation. acephysiosports.com will target these muscles to relieve tension on your abdominal wall and reduce the severity of your hernia. Physiotherapy can also help prevent hernias from recurring. If you are experiencing symptoms that could potentially develop into a hernia, acephysiosports.com will treat your condition and develop a strengthening programme to prevent herniation.

  • Core strengthening exercises to improve abdominal support
  • Stretching exercises to reduce tension in surrounding muscles
  • Posture and movement education to minimise strain on the abdomen
  • Functional exercises to restore normal daily activity
  • Progressive resistance exercises to strengthen the abdominal wall
  • Ongoing monitoring and adjustment of exercises to prevent recurrence

Symptoms following Hernia Surgery

Following hernia surgery, you may experience common post-operative symptoms, which can include:

  • Mild to moderate pain or discomfort around the surgical site
  • Swelling or bruising at or near the incision
  • Stiffness or limited range of motion in the abdominal area
  • Muscle weakness in the surrounding core muscles
  • Tenderness to touch around the surgical site
  • Temporary difficulty with bending, lifting, or performing daily activities

Physiotherapy following Hernia Surgery

Physiotherapy following hernia surgery is a vital part of rehabilitation. It not only supports recovery after surgery but also helps reduce the risk of hernia recurrence or other complications. acephysiosports.com will provide a thorough assessment and a detailed, individualised rehabilitation programme tailored to your personal goals and needs. Core stability training plays a key role in preventing injuries by providing the foundation for all movement. Your core muscles deliver functional and global stability, absorbing the tensile forces exerted through your body during activities, and will therefore form an integral part of your rehabilitation.

Week 1

Initial treatment with acephysiosports.com will focus on reducing inflammation and incorporating early movement to promote optimal recovery following hernia surgery. Core stability exercises will be integrated immediately into your rehabilitation plan to maintain functional support.

  • Gentle range-of-motion exercises to restore mobility
  • Core activation and stability exercises
  • Soft tissue release and stretching to reduce tension
  • Pain and swelling management techniques
  • Education on safe movement and posture
  • Gradual progression to light functional activities

Week 2

Following your first week, acephysiosports.com will advance your rehabilitation to include strengthening and functional-based activities. The focus will be on:

  • Restoring full core stability and control
  • Strengthening the abdominal wall and surrounding muscles
  • Improving flexibility and range of motion in the surgical area
  • Re-establishing normal movement patterns for daily activities
  • Gradual progression to functional and sport-specific exercises
  • Preventing secondary injuries by addressing muscular imbalances

Week 3

acephysiosports.com will continue to intensify your rehabilitation, adapting your programme to suit your personal needs and progress. There will be a strong focus on strengthening and maintaining core stability throughout all movements.

  • Advanced core stability exercises to support dynamic movement
  • Progressive strengthening of the abdominal wall and surrounding muscles
  • Functional movement and balance training
  • Sport-specific or activity-specific drills as appropriate
  • Techniques to prevent re-injury or recurrence of hernia
  • Ongoing assessment and adjustment of exercises to match recovery progress

Week 4+

From week 4, acephysiosports.com will intensify your rehabilitation, challenging your limits to ensure a timely and effective return to sporting and functional activities. Sport-specific rehabilitation will be integrated along with advanced PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and core stability exercises. Rehabilitation for a Gilmore’s Groin typically lasts around 4 weeks, while femoral and inguinal hernias may require approximately 5 weeks for full recovery.

  • Advanced core stability and strengthening exercises
  • Sport-specific drills to restore performance and function
  • PNF techniques to enhance flexibility, strength, and neuromuscular control
  • Functional exercises tailored to daily or sporting activities
  • Gradual progression to high-intensity movements
  • Ongoing monitoring to prevent re-injury or complications

Summary

An abdominal hernia occurs when part of your bowel pushes through a weakened area of your abdominal wall. This happens due to increased pressure on a weakened muscle, causing the muscle to give way and allowing the organ to protrude. The main types of hernias include femoral hernia, inguinal hernia, and a sportsman’s hernia, commonly known as Gilmore’s Groin. To correct this, surgery is performed to repair the torn abdominal wall and reverse the protrusion. Following surgery, physiotherapy is an essential part of effective rehabilitation, helping to restore function, prevent recurrence, and support a return to sport. acephysiosports.com provides a comprehensive rehabilitation programme aligned with surgical protocols and tailored to your personal goals. Call +65 81535374 for more information or to book an appointment.

Get treated today!

We have immediate appointments available today. Contact us to make an appointment.

Find out more »

We are open...

Our clinics are open:
Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm
Sat: 8am - 4pm
Sun: On Appointment Basis

Find your nearest clinic

Acephysio Sports have clinics located throughout the Singapore.

Find out more »