DIASTASIS RECTI CHECK | Physical Therapy Assessment

Summary

This video explains the process of checking for diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate. The technique involves assessing the space between the left and right rectus muscles by palpating above the umbilicus while the person lifts their head. The assessment includes measuring the gap in terms of finger width and tracing it both upwards and downwards. A one-finger separation is considered normal, and the video demonstrates this technique, helping viewers understand how to measure and evaluate diastasis recti.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diastasis recti is checked by assessing the space between the left and right rectus abdominis muscles.
• 😀 Start by having the person lie flat with legs down, then locate the umbilicus (belly button).
• 😀 The person should lift their head, engaging their abdominals, to check for the separation.
• 😀 Gently press just above the umbilicus with your fingers to feel for any gap in the abdominal muscles.
• 😀 The finger should move left and right across the area to measure the width of any gap between the left and right rectus.
• 😀 You assess how many fingers' width the gap is, such as one finger, two fingers, etc.
• 😀 The diastasis should be traced from top to bottom to measure the full extent of the separation.
• 😀 It's important to measure both the length (top to bottom) and the width (left to right) of the diastasis.
• 😀 A one-finger gap in the rectus is considered normal and indicates no significant diastasis recti.
• 😀 The procedure involves checking the space both above and below the umbilicus for any signs of separation.

Q & A

What is diastasis recti, and how is it checked?

Diastasis recti is a condition where there is a separation between the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis muscle. To check for diastasis recti, you have the person lie flat with their legs down, then ask them to lift their head. By palpating the area above the umbilicus with your fingers, you can feel for any gap between the left and right rectus muscles.

Why is it important to avoid pressing directly on the umbilicus during the check?

The umbilicus (belly button) is sensitive tissue, so it's important to avoid pressing directly on it. Instead, the examiner should press about a quarter of an inch above the umbilicus to prevent discomfort and ensure an accurate measurement of the diastasis.

How do you assess the width of the diastasis recti?

To assess the width of the diastasis, the examiner pushes their fingers in and moves them left and right along the abdominal area to check for any space between the left and right sides of the rectus muscles. The examiner counts how many fingers can fit into the gap.

What does a 'one finger' diastasis mean?

A 'one finger' diastasis refers to a small separation, where only one finger can fit between the left and right sides of the rectus muscles. This is generally considered normal and not concerning.

What should be done after determining if there is a space between the rectus muscles?

After finding a space, the examiner should measure the diastasis both vertically (from top to bottom) and horizontally (width) to determine the extent of the separation. This helps in understanding the severity of the condition.

How is the severity of diastasis recti measured?

The severity of diastasis recti is measured by the number of fingers that can fit into the gap between the left and right rectus muscles. The examiner also notes the length of the separation, from the top to bottom of the abdominal wall.

What is the significance of tracing the diastasis up and down?

Tracing the diastasis up and down helps assess how far the separation extends vertically. This is important in understanding whether the condition is limited to a small area or affects a larger portion of the abdominal muscles.

What role does the umbilicus play in checking for diastasis recti?

The umbilicus serves as a reference point for palpating the abdominal muscles. While checking for diastasis recti, the examiner avoids pressing directly on the umbilicus due to its sensitivity and instead focuses on the area just above it.

Why is diastasis recti measurement done while the person is lifting their head?

Lifting the head activates the abdominal muscles, allowing the examiner to better assess the separation of the rectus abdominis. This ensures the muscles contract and reveal any gap that may exist between them.

What should be documented after performing a diastasis recti check?

After performing the check, the examiner should document the width of the diastasis (how many fingers fit into the gap) and the vertical extent (from top to bottom) to assess the overall severity of the condition.