Rehabilitation of a patient with bilateral rectus abdominis full thickness tear sustained in recreational strength training: a case report

ABSTRACT

Study Design

Case Report.

Background

Abdominal wall muscle injuries have been reported in handball, tennis, and baseball; however, a bilateral full-thickness tear of the rectus abdominis muscle and its rehabilitation have not previously been described. This report aims to describe a case of an acute bilateral full-thickness rectus abdominis tear simulating an acute abdomen that presented to an emergency department.

Case Description

A 25-year-old male (169 cm, 84 kg) was transferred to the emergency room due to severe lancinating (Numerical Pain Rating 10/10) abdominal pain that occurred during weight training at a gym. An orthopedic surgeon, an internist, and a general surgeon assessed him for internal and surgical emergencies. The magnetic resonance imaging of his abdomen revealed a bilateral full-thickness tear of the rectus abdominis muscle. The patient was given an option of surgical repair of the RA, but he refused. Six weeks later, he attended our sports medicine department. A criteria-based rehabilitation program was planned, with weekly follow-ups.

Outcomes

The patient could walk pain-free at 4^th week and jog at 10^th week of rehabilitation. Significant improvements in the range of movement of the trunk, pain levels and functional capacity were noted at discharge and 6 and 12-month follow-ups.

Discussion

Clinical management of this patient is described in detail, with emphasis on diagnostic ultrasonography. The structured rehabilitation program used for this patient resulted in a return to pre-injury level function.

KEYWORDS:

• Rupture
• grade 3
• muscle strain
• abdominal
• injury
• weight training

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest in presenting this case.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.