Patient Information
Hernia Truss
Orthotic Truss have been removed from the FP10, meaning they are no longer available by prescription via your GP. Truss can be provided by our Orthotics across all three sites. The NHS can prescribe a limit of two truss, with additional devices requiring private purchase, which your Orthotist can provide guidance on.
Truss are designed to maintain and support a reduced hernia and reduce pain or discomfort.
How to use
Always reduce your hernia before applying the truss
Position the pad over the hernia and secure firmly
Check support while standing and reapply if ineffective
Do not allow the hernia to protrude around or below the pad
Wear directly against the skin
Apply while lying down for best fit
When to wear
Wear during the day, applying before getting out of bed
Remove at night unless advised overwise
Do not wear in the bath or shower
Never wear over an unreduced hernia - seek medical help if unable to reduce it
When the seek help
Stop use and arrange a review if you have:
Persistent redness, skin damage or pain
Poor fit or damage
Signs of allergy
Strangulated hernia
If you think you may have a strangulated hernia you must seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:
Severe pain
Redness, tenderness and/or burning sensation over the herniated area
Nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick)
Fever (temperature over 37.8 degrees Celsius)
Generally feeling unwell
Paying for my Orthosis
Fabric supports - these and some abdominal/spinal supports incur a prescription charge which must be paid before an item is supplied. Information about charges and exception criteria are available from the Department of Health website.
Hosiery - compression hosiery is no longer provided by the Orthotics Department. Please seek guidance from your GP if you require this. If you do not pay prescription charges, please let us know and provide proof of being exempt. More here.
Footwear adaptations - in most cases, patients are entitled to two footwear adaptions each financial year e.g. shoe raises, rocker soles etc. Anything beyond this would need to be funded privately and you can contact the Orthotics Department regarding this. For repeat adaptions, please post or drop your shoes of in the department labelled with your name and patient number. More information is available from the department.
Footwear - adult patients will be provided with two pairs of shoes/boots. This will ensure the patient always has one pair to wear whilst another is being repaired. Once a pair is beyond repair, as confirmed by an Orthotist, a new pair will be provided. Children will be provided with one pair due to growth, unless otherwise determined due to clinical need.
Insoles/Functional Foot Orthoses (FFOs) - in most cases, patients are provided with one pair of insoles or FFOs. A second pair can be purchased privately and you can contact the department regarding this. In some cases, due to clinical need, a second pair will be provided.
Other - with regards to all other orthotic devices (e.g. ankle foot orthoses, spinal braces, collars etc.) in most cases a patient will be provided with one device/pair, which can be provided as necessary. In some cases, due to clinical need, a spare may be proided and the Orthotist will be able to advise.
Repairs
Please keep your orthoses in good repair. If the orthosis you have been provided with breaks or becomes worn, please contact the department regarding its repair. For example if you have received footwear you can drop or post them into the department to be re-soled as necessary, have a hook or loop fastening replaced, or new covers on functional foot orthoses or insoles.
If it is to refurbish an AFO or insole that was made by the workshop, some repairs can be complete on the day while you wait. To do this, please organise a time with the workshop via the Orthotics Team. Please ensure your devices are labelled with your name and patient number when dropping them off. The team will contact you when they are ready for collection. Unfortunately, except in exceptional circumstances, we are no longer able to send orthoses in the post.