Physical Exam

Rebound Tenderness

also known as Blumberg sign

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Video coming September 2026

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

Appendicitis

Rebound tenderness positive in a child

Rule in

Somewhat helpfulDerived CI

Rule out

Somewhat helpfulDerived CI

Evidence:Strong

Rebound tenderness positive

Rule in

Somewhat helpfulDerived CI

Rule out

Minimally helpfulDerived CI

Evidence:Strong

Peritonitis

Rebound tenderness positive

Rule in

Minimally helpfulDerived CI

Rule out

Somewhat helpfulDerived CI

Evidence:Limited

References

Liddington MI, Thomson WHF. Rebound tenderness test. Br J Surg. 1991 Jul;78(7):795-796. doi:10.1002/bjs.1800780710. PMID 1873703.
Kinesya E, Cintya EP, Dorothy MJ, Ennaidi NN, Rusti HF, Mannagalli Y, Pasaribu EA. Diagnostic accuracy of Alvarado score components in patients with appendicitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Health Sciences Review. 2022;2:100018. doi:10.1016/j.hsr.2022.100018.
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.
Lameris W, van Randen A, van Gulik TM, Busch OR, Winkelhagen J, Bossuyt PM, Stoker J, Boermeester MA. A clinical decision rule to establish the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis at the emergency department. Dis Colon Rectum. 2010;53(6):896-904. doi:10.1007/DCR.0b013e3181d98d86. PMID 20485003.
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.