Activity Restrictions After Inguinal Hernia Repair
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Summary
This research is intended to be a pilot study to identify differences in outcomes for varied lifting and physical activity precautions following surgical repair of single-sided inguinal hernias. The researchers hypothesize that when given the autonomy to return to activity at the patient's discretion, convalescence will decrease in comparison to a control group given specific precautions to refrain from lifting and strenuous activity. Specific aims include differences in convalescence and surgical outcomes for each group, i.e. rates of complications, hernia recurrence, physical activity assessments pre and postop, and quality of life outcomes.
Description
This study will evaluate lifting restrictions in the postoperative period after inguinal hernia repair. Patients will be consented to the study via in person and electronic methods. Patients will be asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their current pre-operative activity levels in order to establish a baseline. Patients will undergo surgery according to normal medical recommendations and patient preference. Patients will be randomized into one of two groups: a control group told to practice standard of care at Eastern Colorado VA with return to activity precautions (6 weeks for open surg…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of unilateral inguinal hernia * Must be undergoing surgery * Must be able to consent Exclusion Criteria: * Bilateral inguinal hernia * Recurrent inguinal hernia * Surgery scheduled with additional concomitant procedures
Interventions
- BehavioralRemoval of postoperative lifting restrictions
Patients will be randomized into one of two groups: a control group told to practice standard of care at Eastern Colorado VA with return to activity precautions (6 weeks for open surgery, 2 weeks for minimally invasive surgery) and a treatment group told to "return to activity as tolerated/comfortable and stop activity if pain present".
Location
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical CenterAurora, Colorado