10 Signs of Appendicitis
7. Obturator Sign
The obturator test is performed with the patient lying down on its back, with their knee bent at 90 degrees and their hip flexed at 90 degrees as well. The examiner will proceed to move the ankle away from the patient while the knee stays in the same place towards the midline.
A positive obturator sign is defined as pain in the right lower quadrant after performing the obturator test. It is an accessory sign of acute appendicitis, meaning that it is not enough evidence on its own to diagnose or rule out appendicitis. This sign can also be useful to determine the location of the inflamed appendix, as the obturator muscle is located deep in the pelvis.
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