Diastasis recti: low evidence, expert (and non-expert) opinion, and the daily reality—a path to be created

Excerpt

Diastasis recti is undoubtedly a “hot topic” in the field of abdominal wall defects and their treatment. The unknown etiopathogenesis of the condition, its ill-defined risk factors and uncertain classification (disease or simple anatomical condition), not to mention the differences in diagnostic assessments used (clinical, ultrasound, CT, MRI etc.), the variable interpretations of patient-reported symptoms, and the questions over its long-term treatment and outcomes, are all challenges that underline what amounts to a currently poor level of scientific evidence. In addition, if we also consider the range of opinions on this topic that are offered not only by experts, but also by those whose methods are, unfortunately, often far from scientific, we see that the picture is even more complicated than we thought. …