Can you play hockey with an inguinal hernia if you decide not to operate?

Your risk tolerance: If you opt out of a recommended treatment, the rest of your life is at your discretion. The risk is if the hernia is "out" (bulge present), then area gets impacted/strained causing swelling or change that prevents return, is a risk it can become "strangulated" and pose a surgical emergency. Not a huge risk if use hockey gear/pads, but still possible.

Maybe: Many people have an inguinal hernia. The risk of intestine getting stuck in a hernia is small, but if it happens, it's a big deal. Generally, patients who have only minor discomfort from their hernias, are at low risk of complications from their inguinal hernia. Patients with minimal symptoms from an inguinal hernia can participate in sports such as hockey, as long as they are not in pain.

Can or should you: You can have robotic repair of an inguinal hernia as an outpatient, walk/drive the next day and be playing in 2 weeks. If you catch a puck over your hernia site you may require emergency repair due to hernia strangulation & be sidelined for 6 wks. Life is what you make it. It won't fix itself.