Knowledge of the anatomical type of rectus muscle diastasis could be interesting both to the patient (exercises to do and exercises to avoid) and to the surgeon (abdominoplasty approach planning).

Clinical examination is suggested for diagnosing RD in most patients.

US is regarded as the imaging modality of choice in the initial assessment of recti muscle diastasis.

CT may be useful in detecting a concomitant hernia and for surgical planning.

A range of symptoms is reported to be associated with RD. It is unknown whether the width of the diastasis is related to the severity of symptoms. Impaired body image and core instability seem to be the most common symptoms.

Patients with diastasis recti must also be investigated for the concomitant presence of median line hernias. This is done both at rest and during the Valsalva manoeuvre. At the same time, a diastasis may clinically mimic a ventral hernia, particularly during the Valsalva test.

Surgical repair is mostly done due to aesthetic reasons and it is basically reserved for severe cases of diastasis recti, larger than 5 cm, or when there is an associated hernia.