From the Research
Diagnosing rectus diastasis on ultrasound involves measuring the inter-recti distance (IRD) between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles, with a separation greater than 2.0-2.7 cm at the umbilical level or greater than 1.0-1.5 cm above or below the umbilicus considered diagnostic of rectus diastasis, as supported by recent studies 1, 2. To diagnose rectus diastasis on ultrasound, the following steps should be taken:
- Place the ultrasound transducer transversely on the linea alba at standardized locations: typically at the umbilicus, 3 cm above, and 2 cm below.
- Measure the inter-recti distance (IRD) between the medial borders of the rectus abdominis muscles.
- Take measurements at rest and during an abdominal contraction (such as a partial curl-up or head lift), as this can reveal functional aspects of the condition.
- Position the patient supine with knees slightly flexed to relax the abdominal wall. The severity of diastasis is typically classified as:
- Mild (2-3 cm separation)
- Moderate (3-5 cm)
- Severe (>5 cm) This classification helps guide treatment decisions, as noted in studies 1, 2. It's worth noting that ultrasound is preferred for diagnosis because it's non-invasive, avoids radiation exposure, allows dynamic assessment, and can evaluate tissue quality of the linea alba, as highlighted in 2. While other imaging modalities like CT and MRI can also be used, ultrasound is often the first-line choice due to its convenience and lack of radiation, as discussed in 1, 2.