What does a separated rectus abdominis look like?

The separation of the rectus abdominis muscle is characterized by protrusion of the navel, flaccidity of the abdominal wall muscles, and widening of the white line of the abdomen, which affects the appearance of the body. Rectus abdominis muscle separation is most common in young postpartum women, the early manifestation of the stomach outward expansion. As the rectus abdominis muscle is separated for a longer period of time, the imbalance of the abdominal wall muscles leads to abdominal muscle weakness, low back pain, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and so on. In addition, due to the loss of muscle support in the middle of the abdomen, the white line of patients with rectus abdominis muscle separation is widened, which is easy to be combined with umbilical hernia, white line hernia, and so on. Mild rectus abdominis separation can be treated with exercise therapy and abdominal breathing exercises, while severe cases need to be cured by surgery such as rectus abdominis separation repair. It is recommended that patients should consult the doctor promptly for any discomfort and be treated actively under the guidance of professional doctors.