A Review of Literature on the Diagnosis, Clinical Implications, and Treatment of Diastasis Recti in Older Males

Purpose: To provide information on objective diagnostic methods, clinical implications, and appropriate interventions for older male patients presenting with signs and symptoms indicative of diastasis recti. Methods: Searches were conducted for the diagnosis, clinical implications, and treatment of diastasis recti to provide an analysis on current published data. Because of a limited amount of published work directly related to diastasis recti in males, broad search criteria were utilized. References of selected articles were searched for additional articles appropriate to the aforementioned topics and a current list of relevant studies was compiled. Results: Several articles were reviewed on appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate the presence or absence of diastasis recti. Articles analyzed to determine clinical implications in older males presenting with diastasis recti indicated the importance of taking a thorough subjective history to determine appropriate treatment approaches and establishing awareness clinically of potential underlying conditions that may indicate when further screening is appropriate for patients. Discussion: Although diastasis recti in males is relatively rare, physical therapists should be aware of clinical methods for diagnosis, possible implications indicating the need for further screening, and intervention approaches that address anatomical and functional relationships between the anterior abdominal wall, low back, and pelvic floor, when working with patients.