Rebound tenderness refers to pain that occurs immediately after pressure is released from the abdomen. It may be a sign of peritonitis, which requires medical treatment.

Rebound tenderness is something a healthcare professional assesses during a physical examination of the abdomen.

It’s often a symptom of peritonitis, which is inflammation of the membrane on the inside of your abdominal wall (the peritoneum).

Rebound tenderness may cause severe abdominal pain. For instance, some people report experiencing severe abdominal pain when hitting a bump in the road in the car.

Read on to learn more about how a doctor checks for rebound tenderness and what it means for your health.

To perform a physical examination of your abdomen, a doctor will ask you to lie down and try to relax. Using their hands, they will apply gentle pressure (palpation) to various areas of the abdomen.

To check for rebound tenderness, a doctor will quickly remove their hands from a specific area to release pressure. Rebound tenderness refers to sharp, intense pain that occurs when this pressure is released, and the skin and tissue that was pushed down move back into place.

During this examination, a doctor will also check for abdominal guarding (rigidity), which is when your muscles tense up in response to abdominal pain and inflammation, or in anticipation of physical pressure. This makes your abdomen feel firm to the touch.

A doctor may check for rebound tenderness by asking you to cough instead of applying direct pressure with their hands. If you experience sharp, severe pain when coughing, you may have rebound tenderness.

If you don’t experience any pain or discomfort during these examinations, it helps a doctor rule out peritonitis as a cause of your symptoms.

Rebound tenderness is a sign of peritonitis, a serious health condition characterized by inflammation of the peritoneum, typically resulting from an infection.

Many things can cause peritonitis, including:

There are many different causes of rebound tenderness, so you may also experience a range of symptoms. These may include:

It’s important to tell a doctor about any of these symptoms you may be experiencing, including when you first noticed them and anything that makes them better or worse.

It’s important to get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis. An abdominal infection could lead to serious complications, such as sepsis, if it’s left untreated.

If a doctor finds that you do have rebound tenderness, they’ll likely follow up with other tests to narrow down a diagnosis. Depending on your other symptoms, a doctor might order some laboratory tests, including:

If a doctor confirms you have peritonitis, there are several treatment options, depending on the underlying cause. Treatments may include:

  • antibiotics for bacterial infections
  • surgery to remove infected tissue, a burst appendix, diseased liver tissue, or to address issues in your stomach or intestines
  • pain medication for any pain or discomfort from inflammation

Rebound tenderness refers to the pain that occurs when pressure is applied to the abdomen and is quickly released. It’s usually a symptom of peritonitis, which is inflammation of the peritoneum.

If you experience any symptoms of peritonitis, including severe abdominal pain, nausea, or unexplained weight loss, get immediate medical treatment.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing complications.