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Assessment of the activity of the linea alba of the rectus abdominis muscle in different body positions in women in the late postpartum period using ultrasound imaging
,
Marta Karbowiak
,
Katarzyna Monika Glibov
https://doi.org/10.48269/2451-0858-pis-2025-2-005
Abstract
Introduction: Increased width of the rectus abdominis muscle (RMPB) with separation of the rectus abdominis muscles above the normal distance is defined as diastasis/diastasis recti (RMPB). This dysfunction affects both sexes of various ages, but its postpartum variant is most often described in the literature. Statistics indicate that up to 60% of women require physiotherapy after delivery. The aim of this study was to provide information on the width and thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle (LMB) and the simple application of various body positions in women in the late postpartum period and nulliparous women using rehabilitation ultrasound imaging.
Material and methods: Forty women aged 20 to 50 were invited to participate in the study. They were divided into two groups: a group of women at least one year postpartum and a control group of nulliparous women. The study consisted of four components: an interview, a postural assessment, a manual examination of the linea alba, and an ultrasound examination of the linea alba in various body positions.
Results: The study showed that higher mean values of the linea alba width were observed in the postpartum group. Measurements at rest were higher than during activity, and the change in body position to a standing position revealed an increase in the linea alba width above the umbilicus. All measurements of the linea alba width in the late postpartum and nulliparous groups demonstrated statistical significance at p < 0.05.Conclusions: The width of the linea alba, as assessed by rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), is significantly greater above the umbilicus than below it in both postpartum and nulliparous women in all body positions examined, which may predispose to a higher incidence of hernias in this location. It is recommended that patients at particular risk of impaired linea alba function in the supine and standing positions should be examined.
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Vol. 25 No. 2 (2025)
Published: 2025-12-31
10.31749/2451-0718-SaS
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.