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Does surgery only close the gap or does it improve muscular function too?

Diastasis Recti, Improved Muscle Function and Back Pain. I'm 42, 5'4", 125 lbs. Had 2nd child in 2007. After 2 yrs questioning cause of back pain, it seems it is due to my lower abs being "asleep." They do not contract even when I try. The PT suspects my diast. as the cause- about 2-2.5 fingers in width. I worked out my entire pregnancy but slacked off ~3 yrs after & back muscles couldn't compensate any longer. Also had numbness along midline for a ~yr. after birth. Question: does surgery only close the gap or does it improve muscular function too?

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by AKK1

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Does #surgery only close the gap or does it improve #muscularfunction too?

I think in theory it could help in function by changing the orientation of the muscle to a more "anatomic" position...and I too have had stories related to me about better function and support.... But then I have had the experience of doing a TT on a belly dancer, only to have her end up so tight that she couldn't move like before!! So I guess...it depends....

Muscle tightening and abdominal wall function

To my knowledge, there are no good studies out there confirm that muscle tightening in a tummy tuck (plication) helps to improve abdominal wall/core strength. The muscle tightening is really cosmetic technique to help "close the gap". Having said that, I can tell you that many of my patients who are fitness enthusiasts or trainers have come back after their tummy tucks and told me that their core strength significantly improved. This of course is my observation and has not... more

Muscle function

Muscle function could be improved with thightening of the fascia around it but it is not a guarantee that the patient will be able to feel the difference. There have been studies documenting the improvement of the back pain and discomfort after abdominoplasty

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Muscle repair closes the gap, but seems to improve function as well.

I agree with the others posted here. Although there is no way to guarantee that the muscle repair will lessen back pain or improve muscle function, a significant number of my patients report it without prompting. Many report that they are better able to do sit-ups and crunches after surgery. I don't know if it is only psychological, but it is not uncommon. Hope this helps.

Does surgery only close the gap or does it improve muscular function too?

Repairing a diastasis rectus is usually considered an aesthetic rather than a functional operation. Most of these procedures were done by plastic surgeons and there done for reasons of improving appearance. Of the many patients I have seen over the years and stasis very few of them complained of back pain so it seems unlikely that it is a common cause of back problems. I think most surgeon's have an occasional patient who will say the his or her back pain improved after a tummy tuck... more

Diastasis and back pain

Generally speaking, closing a Diastasis is more of an aesthetic issue than a functional issues as it is not truly a hernia. However, I have had a few patients inform me after an abdominoplasty ( the Diastasis was repaired) that their back pain was markedly improved. I would not recommend to patients to have an abdominoplasty solely to improve chronic back pain; if it it incidentally helps, then that is an added benefit.

Rectus Diastasis Repair and Back Pain

I know of one study with a small group of patients that suggested a rectus diastasis repair may offer some relief for low back pain. In my practice, I have treated a handful of patients whose low back pain improved after an abdominoplasty with a rectus diastasis repair. Unfortunately, there is no way of predicting who will benefit from the procedure or how long the improvement in back pain will last. Some insurance companies did cover this in the past but it is unlikely to get covered... more

Repairing rectus diastasis

Repairing the diastasis is primarily to flatten the abdomen but in my experience, those patients who have had this done have better muscle function and are able to work out better and some even have improved back pain issues. All this cannot be guaranteed but it is a general observation.

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