Why do I need a hernia op?

QThere’s a lump in my groin. My GP says it’s a hernia and needs surgery but can’t I just wear a truss? Janet, Horwich

AYour hernia means that a portion of bowel is poking through a weak point in your abs muscle. The most common type is an inguinal hernia, which appears as a lump around where your leg joins your body.

The lump might come and go, disappearing if you lie down and popping up when you strain or cough, and ache or feel uncomfortable. Although you might be able to live with a hernia, there’s a risk it could become stuck or cause a bowel blockage, so treatment is best.

Unless you’re very frail or unwell, this usually means an op. A truss, a belt with a pad to push the hernia back into place, is an old-fashioned remedy that can be uncomfortable and unreliable.