Point tenderness

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y

Anatomical landmarks, front view

Appendix

Any person with point tenderness should call or present to an emergency room in order to be examined promptly by the health care provider!

During the physical examination, the doctor may ask:

• Time pattern
  • When did the abdominal pain associated with this point tenderness develop?
  • Is this the first time that this kind of discomfort has occurred?
  • If it has occurred before, have you noticed any pattern to the occurrences?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there vomiting?
  • Is there rebound tenderness (the tenderness is worse when the area is gently pressed and then the pressure is suddenly released).
  • Is there diarrhea or constipation?
  • Is there a fever?
  • Are there fever or chills?
  • Is the person fainting?

• Abdominal film
• Abdominal CT scan (occasionally)
• Laboratory tests such as a CBC

TREATMENT

Sometimes, the physical examination will indicate a need for immediate surgery (an exploratory laparotomy or an emergency appendectomy). This is usually the case if signs of diffuse peritonitis are present.

Review Date: 06/10/2005
Reviewed By: Joseph P. Hart, MD, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.