What is defined as diastasis?

Diastasis refers specifically to a separation or an abnormal distance between two bones around a joint, and it is commonly associated with the separation of a joint at either a synergistic or antagonistic alignment. In many cases, this occurs in the context of the ligamentous structures connecting these bones, leading to significant damage to the ligaments between them. This can happen in various regions of the body, such as the pubic symphysis during pregnancy or in certain types of joint injuries.

This definition aligns richly with the concept of ligamentous damage, illustrating that the relationship between the bones is compromised not merely due to dislocation or complete joint misalignment, but rather through the lengthening or tearing of ligaments that allow the bones to move apart more than they should normally.

The other choices describe different musculoskeletal injuries or conditions that do not capture the essence of diastasis. A complete dislocation refers more broadly to a joint's total misalignment rather than a measured separation. A muscle strain focuses on muscular injury instead of joint and ligamentous interaction, while inflammation of a joint capsule is more indicative of a condition such as arthritis rather than the specific physically measurable separation between bones.