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Diagnosis and Treatment of Diastasis Recti Abdominus

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1.  What occurs with abdominal wall concentric activation? Orifice opening Expanding the rib cage Pelvic stabilization none of the above

2.  What are the biomechanics of the pelvic floor and transverse abdominus with diaphragmatic activation during inspiration of breath? Pelvic floor eccentrically elongates and TrA activity increases Pelvic floor relaxes and descends and TrA activity decreases Pelvic floor relaxes and descends and TrA activity increases Pelvic floor contracts and TrA activity increases

3.  What is a role of the thoracolumbar fascia? Decreases activation of pelvic floor muscles Critical structure for load transference Assists with orifice closure Connective tissue between rectus abdominus muscles

4.  What forms the linea alba? Fascial envelope formed by rectus abdominus muscle fibers Fascial envelope formed by connective tissue from TrA and obliques Rectus abdominus muscles TrA muscles

5.  What is the prevalence of diastasis rectus abdominus in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy? 66% 39% 100% 25%

6.  What contributes to diastasis rectus abdominus in post-partum patients? Pregnancy weight gain Baby's birth weight Compromise of deep motor control system Fascial hypermobility

7.  What is an assessment tool to evaluate LOAD TRANSFERENCE across the linea alba? Curl up task Palpation along linea alba Single leg stance Active straight leg raise

8.  A curl up task is performed and doming along the linea alba is noted. What muscle would you cue and what cue could you give for improved assessment? Internal oblique; oblique curl up Rectus abdominus; repeat curl up External oblique; forced exhale Transverse abdominus; bring hip bone closer together

9.  A patient with DRA has decreased pelvic stability with weight shift tasks. What type of exercise would be a good choice to her HEP? Single leg standing with cues for knee alignment Bridge with cues for TrA activation Bird dog with cues for multifidus activation Squat with cues for glut activation

10.  How would you assess that the exercise you gave to the above patient is at the appropriate level? Palpation of TrA activation and DRA while patient is performing task Visual assessment of pelvic stability while patient is performing task Patient report Gut instinct