If mesh from inguinal hernia repair causes chronic pain. can anything be done to fix it (other than painkillers)? or will just have to live with it?

Injection/mesh remov: First, pain from inguinal hernia mesh usually improves significantly in the first 3 months after surgery and about 90% of patients with abnormal pain are free of pain at one year. Steroid injections are often helpful. If pain persists the ileoinguinal nerve, which is often the source of the pain, can be cut. If the pain remains severe mesh removal can be considered.

Surgery: Chronic pain after hernia repair can be very debilitating. Often patients can benefit from injections of corticosteroids and anesthetics to block the involved nerves. Sometimes surgical removal of the mesh is necessary, and can give great relief. On rare occasions, no treatment is successful, and pain management is the goal.

Mesh pain: Besides pain killers, you might benefit from myofascial release therapy, nerve block, or peripheral nerve stimulation. If you fail these therapies, you can discuss with your doctor for mesh removal. You don't have to live with this pain.

Maybe remove it: If the pain is severe enough, and nerve blocks and local injections fail to relieve it, may need to have the mesh removed, and in some cases, even the nerves to that area. Best to have a surgeon with experience in dealing with this take care of it. Hope this helps!