India's Olympic silver medalist Neeraj Chopra is likely to undergo surgery for a persistent groin injury. The athlete, who clinched the silver in the men's javelin final, has been battling a hernia that has been causing him discomfort in the groin area. Chopra has now traveled to Germany for further evaluation to ensure the injury doesn't affect his performance in upcoming tournaments. He is reported to stay there for a month now. What Is Hernia?A hernia occurs when an organ, typically part of the intestines, protrudes from its normal location. The most common type is an inguinal hernia, where abdominal tissue, like fat or intestines, pushes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, extending into the groin.Notably, there are three types of Hernia: - Inguinal Hernia: Occurs when abdominal tissue, such as intestines or fat, protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, often extending into the groin. More common in men, it may present as a bulge in the groin that worsens with activity.- Hiatal Hernia: Happens when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. It can cause symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. Hiatal hernias are often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).- Umbilical Hernia: Develops when abdominal tissue bulges through an opening in the abdominal wall near the belly button. Common in infants, it can also occur in adults, particularly those who are overweight or have a history of multiple pregnancies.Inguinal hernias, from which Chopra is surrfering, are more common in males, affecting 20% of men during their lifetime, compared to only 2% of women. Dr Ajay Kumar Kriplani of Fortis Memorial Research Institute explains that in 20% of cases, hernias can occur on both sides simultaneously.Symptoms of Hernia- Groin Bulge: Often noticeable, worsening with coughing and decreasing when lying down.- Discomfort: Typically painless, but mild discomfort may occur.- Surgical Importance: Experts stress the need for surgical intervention to avoid complications.- Procedure Methods: Surgery is commonly performed using laparoscopic or robotic techniques.