Does repairing diastasis recti improve pelvic floor function?

Question

I'm 42 years old. After giving birth to my son 4.5 years ago, I was left with diastasis recti (about 1 finger width above and below belly button). I'm looking for procedures that are minimally invasive (I will say no to full tummy tucks) to repair it but my quesiton is: will repairing also improve my pelvic floor functioning? I have overactive bladder, urge and stress incontinence and very prone to constipation after my son's birth. Thank you for your time.

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Your diastasis is on the smaller side so it is likely that it can be repaired without a full tummy tuck. But I would not expect the diastasis repair to improve your pelvic floor function.

Kyle Summers, DO · Answer

The evidence is mixed but generally supportive of indirect benefits, particularly when DR repair restores core stability, which can reduce strain on the pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor supports organs like the bladder and uterus, and dysfunction can be linked to DR due to shared abdominal pressure dynamics.

Andrew Ray, DO · Answer

Insurance will not cover a pure diastasis repair, another option for repair of the muscles without a full tummy tuck is to do a modified mini tuck where the incision is about twice as long as a c-section scar, no incision around the belly button and minimal skin is removed. Through this incision your muscles can be fully repaired. In terms of pelvic floor function most likely the incontinence will improve but it is not a guarantee. The constipation will likely have no change that is more related to diet, hydration and many other factors but abdominal musculature is not one of them.

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

To my knowledge, a rectus diastasis repair does not influence pelvic floor dysfunction. What patients have occasionally reported is an improvement of their back pain, when undergoing a lipoaboominoplasty with rectus diastasis repair. Your symptoms need a different type of care and specialist. I hope this helps.

Does repairing diastasis recti improve pelvic floor function?

Answers (4)

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