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Herniabible

44 Wellington Square

Hastings

East Sussex

TN34 1PN

United Kingdom

 

 

Belts and trusses for groin hernia

Early versions of the hernia truss were daunting contraptions. For instance the 19th century Eggleston's Truss from Chicago was described:

"Eggleston's Truss has a pad different from all others. It is cup-shaped, with a self-adjusting ball in the centre, and adapts itself to all positions of the body, while the ball in the cup presses back the intestines just as a person does with the finger. With light pressure the hernia is held securely day and night, and a radical cure is certain. It is easy, durable and cheap."

 

Cluthe's Advice to the Ruptured, written before surgical hernia repair became popular, describes dozens of hernia cases which were cured even by this relatively primitive truss. The Flat Pad Support made by our sister company The Support Company is, in our opinion, the most effective modern equivalent, and is more comfortable than a truss.

 

Many doctors and surgeons simply don't bother to prescribe a truss. Even some of today's trusses use metal springs to apply pressure to the hernia, via a pad which can be quite hard, and usually bulges into the hernia. This inward bulging prevents the edges of the hernia from coming together, and can even enlarge it. This makes it difficult for the hernia to heal itself. On the other hand your hernia will also enlarge if you do not wear some kind of support to keep it in.

 

Trusses are complicated things

Trusses must be initially fitted by an experienced fitter. Careful measurements must be taken before the fitting, with the patient undressed and standing up. Then the hernia must be reduced by getting the patient to lie down and if necessary gently applying pressure with a finger. Even so, all these measures may not be enough. According to one surgeon: 'It's nearly impossible to get a truss to fit in such a way as to keep the hernia in at all times. So don't bother".

 

Our recommendation

Clearly the problem would be solved if you could find a hernia support that fits well, is comfortable, unobtrusive, keeps the hernia in at all times, and does not have springs or pads that bulge inwards. We believe that, after years of development and testing on people with hernias, this product is now available, and we invite you to visit our sister website The Support Company to read about the Flat Pad Support.