-
Unusual Abdominal Injury
Thank you for the details as this is certainly a perplexing situation.
I would like to agree with your internist.
I wonder if you developed a tear or the beginning of a diastasis (spreading of the rectus muscles from their insertion in the middle), thus your symptoms. In either situation, there is no active intervention that is taken. Sounds like no hernia. I would not pursue any imaging. I would focus on more transversus abdominis exercises and reduce rectus abdominis and oblique muscle training for a while. That would reduce the strain on the rectus while maintaining your core. There are great forums, videos, and pictures online about transversus abdominis muscle training. Basically it is core muscle training without straining or crunches. These can include planks, squats against the wall, etc.
I would like to hear back from you in a few months after such training. I feel you had a rectus tear or diastasis occur and that is why you had the peak in the muscle and then it settled down with the lingering soreness for a while. Rest it and don’t strain it. No more crunches or engagement of the rectus. Focus on the rest of your core.
I hope this is helpful.