India’s top athlete Neeraj Chopra may have to undergo surgery to treat the back injury he suffered in the men’s javelin throw final of the Paris Olympics last week. According to media reports, the sports superstar has been thinking of undergoing surgery for the past few months and has now identified top doctors for the same.

Neeraj won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw event at the Olympics, finishing behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem at the Stade de France. There is also going to be a big change in Neeraj’s coaching team.

What was the reason for Neeraj’s back injury?

Neeraj is suffering from a hernia, which has been causing him back pain. The 26-year-old javelin throw superstar has spoken in detail to the media about how he delayed surgery to ensure the best chance of competing at the Paris Olympics.

Also known as an inguinal hernia, this condition causes a bulge in the area on either side of your pubic bone that becomes more obvious when you’re upright, especially when you cough or strain. It causes frequent pain and discomfort in your groin, especially when you bend, cough or lift something.

After the Olympic final, Neeraj revealed that he was advised surgery last year. “I have already thrown 89.94m (in 2022) with this injury. When I throw, I always focus about 50 per cent on my injury. We have to focus mostly on the technique, but with this injury it is really tough for me,” he told media persons. “The doctors told me to go for surgery last year. I have been stretching myself till now. The treatments have been going on since then. But we have to take a big decision,” he added.

What is an inguinal hernia and how does it affect the groin area?

According to doctors, inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia and occurs when abdominal tissue, such as belly fat or a loop of intestine, protrudes through a hole in your lower abdominal wall. This is the wall that separates your stomach from your groin.

Inguinal hernias occur in the inguinal canal, a passage that runs from both sides of your pelvis to your sexual organs. These are also called groin hernias. Doctors say that inguinal hernias usually affect men in a ratio of 10:1. The area just below the abdominal wall, where the testicles pass through, is more susceptible to hernias because it is an already existing hole, which can easily be reopened.

Statistics show that 75 percent of all hernias are inguinal hernias and these are mostly common in middle-aged and older men.

How serious is a groin hernia?

Doctors say that although a hernia is not always serious, it can lead to certain complications if the condition worsens over time. As the hole weakens and widens, more tissue is pushed inwards causing it to become trapped. This can be painful and in severe cases, even dangerous as it can block the intestines and cut off your blood supply.

According to experts, most inguinal hernias become symptomatic over time.

What causes a groin hernia?,

The Cleveland Clinic says that inguinal hernias can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• a hole or weak spot present at birth
• innate differences in the strength of your connective tissue
• a hole or weak spot from a previous abdominal surgery
• Persistent coughing or sneezing
• Constant straining to urinate or defecate
• Frequent strenuous exercise or physical labor
• Being pregnant for many years and giving birth to young children
• jobs that require standing for long hours
• Intra-abdominal pressure from chronic obesity
• normal age-related tissue degeneration

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