Chronic Pain Types Understanding and Managing Pain After Hernia Surgery How long will it last? By Erica Jacques Erica Jacques LinkedIn Erica Jacques, OT, is a board-certified occupational therapist at a level one trauma center. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 13, 2021 Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD Jennifer Schwartz, MD, is a board-certified surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Yale School of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How Long Pain Lasts Symptoms Risk Factors Treatment Frequently Asked Questions After hernia surgery, chronic postoperative pain known as post-herniorrhaphy neuralgia is a common complication. In most cases, the pain is not permanent and will eventually resolve on its own. How long it takes to go away depends largely on your age, the type of surgery you had, the location and size of the hernia, and your general health. monkeybusiness / Getty Images How Long Does Pain Last? Chronic post-hernia surgery pain can last for months or years. "Chronic" is usually defined as more than three months after surgery. However, since procedures using surgical mesh have longer recovery times, some researchers have suggested a six-month definition may be more realistic. In studies, about 6% of people have reported pain bad enough to interfere with daily activities for between one and six years after their procedures. Post-Herniorraphy Neuralgia Symptoms Post-herniorrhaphy neuralgia is defined as a nerve-related pain that persists for more than three months and is unrelated to any other cause. In some cases, the pain can be so severe that it interferes with walking, sitting, or even sleep. The pain is typically caused when nerves become damaged (neuropathy) or trapped in sutures, staples, or surgical mesh. Common symptoms of post-surgical neuropathy include: Shooting, sharp, or radiating painA burning sensationFeeling as if a foreign object is in your bodyPain in the testiclesPain during penetrative sexPain with walking The pain may also be somatic, meaning that is related to the skin, muscles, or tissue rather than the nerves. This can happen when any of these structures are shortened during surgery and can result in an uncomfortable tugging, aching, or pulling sensation, generally with movement. Mesh-Related Pain The mesh often used in hernia repairs is the source of chronic pain for many people. Your immune system may recognize the mesh as foreign and attack it, triggering chronic inflammation, which can cause pain. Also, the mesh may rub against muscles, nerves, or other tissues and cause irritation. 5 Signs of Inflammation Risk Factors Chronic pain after hernia repair is not uncommon, particularly for those who have undergone inguinal (groin) hernia surgery. Depending on which study you refer to, the incidence ranges from 11% to 54%. Risk factors for developing chronic postoperative neuralgia after hernia surgery include: Younger ageBeing femaleMore pre-surgical pain and impairmentLess optimistic outlook before surgeryHaving had surgery to repair a previous hernia surgeryGenetic predispositionHigh pain levels early after surgeryLess experienced surgeonSurgery not in a dedicated hernia centerOpen repair techniqueHeavyweight mesh useInfection or other postoperative complications One study found that 58% of people under age 40 had persistent, postoperative hernia pain compared to only 14% over age 60. Treatment Chronic postoperative hernia pain is usually treated conservatively with over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen). Time and exercise are usually the best way to overcome pain of this sort. Severe pain may require neuropathy medications or prescription opioid medications. If these fail to provide relief, the healthcare provider may recommend radiofrequency ablation, in which focused radio waves are used to destroy a nerve pathway, thereby decreasing pain signals from that specific area. A less-invasive version of this is called a nerve block and involves the use of an anesthetic injection to temporarily cut off pain signals. Peripheral nerve field stimulation is another method with the same goal. Frequently Asked Questions How long does testiticular pain last after hernia surgery? Inflammation from the surgery can extend down into the testicles and cause pain. This inflammation is considered normal and it may take between three and six months for it to subside. In cases of large hernias involving the scrotum, it can take longer. Is it normal to have sharp pain after hernia surgery? Yes, sharp pain is considered normal after hernia surgery. Pain is also described as burning, shooting, or radiating. What is the fastest way to recover from hernia surgery? All surgical recovery takes time. However, you can increase your odds of a speedy and successful recovery by: Following your healthcare provider's instructionsTaking pain medications when you need themWalking and moving as directedSticking to a healthy dietCaring for your incision and preventing infectionKeeping your follow-up appointments 10 Ways to Recover Faster After Surgery A Word From Verywell While chronic postoperative pain can interfere with your wellbeing and quality of life, it is important to remember that it is rarely a permanent condition. Talk to your healthcare provider about ongoing pain so they can help you find solutions and get back to living fully again. Understanding the Risks of Surgery 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Andresen K, Rosenberg J. Management of chronic pain after hernia repair. J Pain Res. 2018;11:675-681. doi:10.2147/JPR.S127820 HerniaSurge Group. International guidelines for groin hernia management. Hernia. 2018;22(1):1-165. doi:10.1007/s10029-017-1668-x Cleveland Clinic. Chronic groin repair after inguinal hernia repair. Cleveland Clinic. How you can get relief from groin pain after hernia repair. Elsamadicy AA, Ashraf B, Ren X, et al. Prevalence and cost analysis of chronic pain after hernia repair: A potential alternative approach with neurostimulation. Neuromodulation. 2019;22(8):960-969. doi:10.1111/ner.12871 Gopal SV, Warrier A. Recurrence after groin hernia repair-revisited. Int J Surg. 2013;11(5):374-7. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2013.03.012 Boston Hernia. Is swelling after hernia surgery normal? Gan T. Poorly controlled postoperative pain: Prevalence, consequences, and prevention. J Pain Res. 2017;10:2287-2298. doi:10.2147/JPR.S144066 Hoogeboom T, Dronkers J, Hulzebos E, Van Meeteren N. Merits of exercise therapy before and after major surgery. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2014;27(2):161-6. doi:10.1097/ACO.0000000000000062 Grass F, Schäfer M, Demartines N, Hübner M. Normal diet within two postoperative days-realistic or too ambitious? Nutrients. 2017;9(12). doi:10.3390/nu9121336 Tartari E, Weterings V, Gastmeier P, et al. Patient engagement with surgical site infection prevention: an expert panel perspective. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2017;6:45. doi:10.1186/s13756-017-0202-3 By Erica Jacques Erica Jacques, OT, is a board-certified occupational therapist at a level one trauma center. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit