After doing a relatively hard workout on Thursday. I noticed a bump in my groin. It was confirmed by my primary care doctor as inguinal hernia. I had one before but it wasn’t nearly as apparent. At the time I wasn’t cycling. The doctor said cycling is fine. But I got in my head today when doing a sweet spot workout and bailed halfway through the last interval. Nothing hurts.
Anyone have one before? ChatGPT says cycling is ok as well. But looking for any other confirmation.
It’s mentally frustrating as my left hand is finally starting to get back to about 75% strength from surgery in October for two broken bones from a mtb crash. So I was starting to think I’d be returning to mountain biking.
Got one in January 24. I was told OK to cycle. It got to be uncomfortable and I was scheduled for surgery to repair in August 24. In June I noticed after a group ride on Sunday that it would not reduce ( I.e. the lump would not disappear ). Same on Monday, so Tuesday 8.00 am in A&E. Immediately taken to surgery ward and after CT scan I was in surgery by 2.00 pm as it was partly strangulated. Conventional surgery with mesh repair. Back on bike in about six weeks. Still sometimes aware of the mesh but all good now. ( 74 yrs when surgery done 76 now )
Just be aware if the lump will not go when you lie down get it checked ASAP!
got my inguinal fixed with mesh a little over a year ago. also got an umbilical hernia fixed while they were in there. was able to ride up until the day i had surgery. same as others have said: occasionally aware of the mesh but not a huge problem, was back on the bike for easy rides in 4 weeks. do get it fixed you’ll be better for it.
I found myself in a similar situation a couple years ago. I did a harder ride on my trainer and when I went to take a shower I noticed a lump. No pain, no discomfort, no idea when it actually happened.
I had traditional mesh inguinal hernia repair on 1/23/24. I was told by the surgeon it was a “big one”. Surgery went very well, pain wasn’t that bad at all for me. I took the prescription pain medicine the first day and then just ibuprofen.
I started taking walks right away, and did my first trainer ride 8 days after surgery on my 50th birthday. I did nothing but Z1/Z2 for a few weeks and slowly ramped up from there, all on the indoor trainer. I did actually get approval from my surgeon to do trainer rides on 2/7, and I believe his advice was “if it hurts don’t do it”. It didn’t hurt, so looking back on Strava I rode almost every day in February on Zwift. Did my first rides outside in mid March, so about 2 months after surgery.
Robotic/laparoscopic mesh repair. You’ll be uncomfortable for a couple weeks but won’t need pain meds at all. After two weeks you will be able to ride easy on the trainer. After another two weeks you’ll be able to ride normal endurance. Of course follow your doctor’s instructions and ask questions about recovery and riding on the trainer. I would suggest avoiding surgery involving a full incision but everyone’s situation is different. Sooner you get it done the smaller the repair will be so don’t delay.
Had a hernia that started in similar fashion a couple years ago. As others have mentioned was able to continue cycling and most other activities until surgery a couple months later. Did a big ride the weekend before (local bike club’s annual century) and had no problems.
Had a robotic assisted mesh repair on both sides, by a minimally invasive surgery specialist, with a TAP (abdominal nerve block). I was walking immediately, did not need any opioids for pain, and was back on the trainer doing short easy rides after 5 days. Was very cautious about lifting/straining for several months until the repair was stronger. Mobility exercises and light stretching were very helpful with the abdominal wall stiffness.
Good luck! Would also review signs of incarcerated/strangulated hernias (the most serious complications) if not familiar already, and speak with a surgeon about their specific recommendations
So I have my surgery scheduled for next week. Then a hand surgery scheduled ten days later. So I will be off the bike for 2.5 to 3 weeks.
My last hard workout will be on Saturday. Currently scheduled for an over under which AI FTP likes better, but I was thinking of switching it to a sweet spot as I’m thinking the strength might be more durable.
Does it make a difference in returning to training?