Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Rebound Tenderness

also known as Blumberg sign
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How to Perform

With the patient supine, press your hand slowly and deeply directly on skin into the abdomen over the area of tenderness, then suddenly release. The test is positive if the pain is more severe on release than during pressure.

How to Interpret

Showing 4 of 5 findings

Appendicitis

Rebound tenderness positive in a child
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Strong
Rebound tenderness positive
Rule in
Minimally helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Moderate

Diverticulitis

Rebound tenderness positive
Rule in
Minimally helpful
Rule out
Minimally helpful
Evidence:Moderate

Peritonitis

Rebound tenderness positive
Rule in
Minimally helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Moderate

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming soon
Abdomen Palpation
Rule in:VHExtrahepatic Biliary Obstruction, VHIntussusception, VHPyloric Stenosis +32 more
Rule out:VHHepatocellular Jaundice, HAppendicitis, SHDiverticulitis +32 more
🎬Video coming soon
Rovsing Sign
aka Perman-Rovsing sign; Perman sign
Rule in:SHAppendicitis, IEPeritonitis
Rule out:NHAppendicitis, IEPeritonitis
🎬Video coming soon
McBurney Point Palpation
aka McBurney sign
Rule in:IEAppendicitis
Rule out:IEAppendicitis
🎬Video coming soon
Obturator Sign
aka Cope obturator test
Rule in:SHAppendicitis
Rule out:NHAppendicitis
🎬Video coming soon
Psoas Sign
aka Iliopsoas sign; Obraztsov sign
Rule in:SHAppendicitis
Rule out:MHAppendicitis
🎬Video coming soon
Abdomen Auscultation
Rule in:VHRenovascular Hypertension, MHBowel Obstruction, IEAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm +9 more
Rule out:MHRenovascular Hypertension, NHBowel Obstruction, IEAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm +9 more

Related Systems / Regions

AbdomenGastrointestinal

Related Diagnoses

AppendicitisDiverticulitisPerforated ViscusPeritonitis

Related Chief Complaints

Abdominal DistensionAbdominal PainAbdominal TendernessAnorexiaBlood in StoolChange in Bowel HabitsChillsConstipationDiarrheaFeverLeft Lower Quadrant PainLoss of AppetiteLow-grade FeverNauseaNausea and VomitingPain with MovementPeriumbilical PainRight Lower Quadrant PainRight Lower Quadrant TendernessRigid AbdomenVomiting

References

  • Liddington MI, Thomson WHF. Rebound tenderness test. Br J Surg. 1991 Jul;78(7):795-796. doi:10.1002/bjs.1800780710. PMID 1873703.
  • Andersson RE. Meta-analysis of the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of appendicitis. Br J Surg. 2004 Jan;91(1):28-37. doi:10.1002/bjs.4464. PMID 14716790.
  • Bundy DG, Byerley JS, Liles EA, Perrin EM, Katznelson J, Rice HE. Does this child have appendicitis? JAMA. 2007 Jul 25;298(4):438-451. doi:10.1001/jama.298.4.438. PMID: 17652298. PMC: PMC2703737.
  • Andeweg CS, Knobben L, Hendriks JC, Bleichrodt RP, van Goor H. How to diagnose acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: proposal for a clinical scoring system. Ann Surg. 2011;253(5):940-946. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e3182113614. PMID: 21346548.
  • Liddington MI, Thomson WHF. Rebound tenderness test. Br J Surg. 1991;78(7):795-796. doi:10.1002/bjs.1800780710. PMID 1873703.
  • Blumberg JM. Ueber ein neues diagnostisches Symptom bei Appendicitis. Münchener Medizinische Wochenschrift. 1907;54(1):1177-1178.

Research last updated September 9, 2026.