Navigating the layers of concern for safe dry needling of the rectus abdominis: a cadaveric study

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To assess needle placement accuracy in the rectus abdominis (RA) muscle during dry needling (DN) without entering the peritoneum.

Methods

Two physical therapists performed DN on a cadaver, making 10 attempts each to needle the RA without entering the peritoneum. Techniques followed two common DN approaches. Ultrasound verified needle depth and safety.

Results

Seventy percent of attempts were recorded as safe needle placement, while 30% were unsafe. Accurate RA needle placement without peritoneal entry occurred in 55% of attempts.

Discussion/Conclusion

Inadvertent peritoneal needle placement during RA DN poses risks regardless of experience. Ultrasound guidance may enhance safety and precision in clinical practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry needling
• rectus abdominis
• cadaver
• physical therapists
• ultrasound guidance
• peritoneum
• safety
• needle accuracy

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Stacey Lindsley for her contributions to the data curation of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2024.2355007.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ryan C. McConnell

Ryan C. McConnell – Guarantor: Conception and design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, article draft, revising it critically for important intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published.

Christi L. Williams

Christi L. Williams – Initiating the study, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, assisting with article draft, revising it critically for important intellectual content.

Christian R. Falyar

Christian R. Falyar - Data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, revising it critically for important intellectual content.

All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.