Pregnancy or regular weightlifting exercises can increase your risk for developing a painful abdominal bulge, a condition known as rectus diastasis. At the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery in Peoria, Arizona, the skilled surgical team offers the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery to correct rectus diastasis, reduce pain, and improve your ability to stay physically active. Find out if surgery for correcting rectus diastasis is right for you by calling the office or booking a consultation online today.
Our practice is located at 14155 N. 83rd Ave. Suite 105 in Peoria, AZ. Call us to schedule your appointment today or call us at (623) 486-7700.
request an appointmentWhat is rectus diastasis?
Rectus diastasis, also known as diastasis recti, is a condition where the muscles in your abdomen become partially or completely separated by an abnormal distance. This separation can cause a bulge to form in the middle of your abdomen where the two muscles separate that is most noticeable when your abdominal muscles are tense.
Without treatment, rectus diastasis can cause weakness in your abdominal muscles that results in chronic lower back pain and interferes with your ability to stay physically active.
What causes rectus diastasis?
One of the most common causes of rectus diastasis is pregnancy, especially if you’re carrying a large baby or multiple babies. As your pregnancy progresses your muscles can stretch out, causing the separation of muscle tissue.
You may also be at increased risk for rectus diastasis if you have a small stature or become pregnant after age 35.
Other common causes of rectus diastasis include:
- Weightlifting
- Lifting heavy objects
- Performing strenuous abdominal exercises
In some cases, rectus diastasis can also develop in newborn infants, especially if they’re premature and their abdominal muscles haven’t fully formed.
What are the symptoms of rectus diastasis?
In addition to the noticeable bulge in your abdomen, you may also develop symptoms like:
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Poor posture
- Lower back pain
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need surgery to repair the muscles and prevent a worsening of your symptoms.
How does minimally invasive surgery treat rectus diastasis?
If symptoms of rectus diastasis aren’t causing you pain or interfering with your ability to stay active, you may be able to treat the condition with a supportive binder that you wear around your abdomen to push your muscles back into place. Physical therapy might also be helpful in recovering from rectus diastasis.
However, if weakness in your abdominal muscles is disrupting your lifestyle, the experienced surgeons at the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery can repair the separated muscles using only small incisions. Surgery may also be an option if the abdominal bulge is affecting your satisfaction with your appearance.
Minimally invasive surgery is less traumatic on your body and ensures you heal faster and more efficiently than with traditional open surgery. Your risks for infection and noticeable scars are also much lower with minimally invasive procedures.
If you’re in pain because of an abdominal bulge caused by rectus diastasis, schedule a consultation for minimally invasive surgery by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.
