Abdominal rigidity

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Abdominal rigidity

Alternative Names:

Rigidity of the abdomen

Home Care:

Involuntary abdominal rigidity should always be evaluated by your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if:

All forms of involuntary rigidity and rebound tenderness (pain when the abdomen is gently pressed and then the pressure is suddenly released) require immediate medical attention, preferably in an emergency room. Surgery may be necessary.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

You will probably be seen in an emergency room rather than at your doctor's office.

The health care provider will obtain your medical history and perform an examination. Until a diagnosis is made, pain relievers will probably not be administered because they may mask the symptoms.

Medical history questions documenting abdominal rigidity in detail may include:

When did you first notice this symptom?
What other symptoms are occurring at the same time? Especially, is there abdominal pain?

The physical examination may include a pelvic (and possibly a rectal) examination.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

Blood tests
Urine tests
Colonoscopy
Gastroscopy
Peritoneal lavage
Stool studies
X-ray of the chest
X-ray of the abdomen
Barium studies of the stomach and intestines (such as an upper GI series)

Review Date: 11/10/2004
Reviewed By: Brendan T. Campbell, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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