Neeraj Chopra is likely to undergo surgery on his long-standing groin injury after winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, making it a challenge for athletes to compete at the highest level.

New Delhi: India's top track and field athlete Neeraj Chopra is likely to undergo surgery to fix the groin injury he suffered in the men's javelin final at the Paris Olympics 2024. According to several media reports, the athlete is suffering. From this injury for several months, and now top doctors are known to perform the procedure.

Neeraj Chopra bagged a silver medal in men's javelin at the Paris Olympics 2024, unfortunately he could not overtake Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem and finished second at the Stade de France. Apart from his upcoming surgery, Neeraj's coaching team will also undergo significant changes.

Neeraj Chopra is dealing with an inguinal hernia, which causes constant back pain. Despite frequent pain and discomfort, especially when bending, coughing or lifting, he delayed surgery to increase his chances of competing in the Paris Olympics.

Neeraj revealed after the Olympic final that he was advised to undergo surgery last year. “I had already thrown 89.94 meters in 2022 with this injury. When I throw, I always focus 50 percent on my injury. We have to focus mostly on technique, but it's really difficult for me with this injury,” he told the media. “The doctor asked me to go for surgery last year. I was stretching myself by now. The treatment has been going on since then, but we have to take a big decision,” he added.

An inguinal hernia, the most common type of hernia, occurs when abdominal tissue, such as fat or part of the intestines, opens into the lower abdominal wall, causing the pelvis to separate from the groin. These hernias develop in the inguinal canal, a passage that runs from either side of the abdomen to the genitals. Often referred to as groin hernias, they predominantly affect men with a ratio of 10:1. The area just below the abdominal wall, where the scrotum passes, is particularly prone to herniation because of its pre-existing opening, which is more susceptible to reopening.

Although hernias may not always pose an immediate threat, doctors warn that they can lead to complications if left untreated. As the abdominal wall weakens and enlarges, more tissue can become trapped, causing pain. In severe cases, this can cause the intestines to become blocked or lose their blood supply, which is dangerous. Over time, most inguinal hernias develop symptoms.

Medical professionals recognize several causes of inguinal hernias, including:

An opening or weak spot present at birth
Congenital differences in the strength of connective tissue
An opening or weak spot from previous abdominal surgery
Severe coughing or sneezing
Severe straining to urinate or defecate
Frequent strenuous exercise or physical exertion
Gestational years and carrying small children
Jobs that require standing for several hours at a time
Intracranial pressure due to chronic obesity
Normal age-related tissue degeneration

Neeraj Chopra's journey with this injury highlights the enormous challenges athletes often face and their determination to compete at the highest level despite physical obstacles.