General
pothole sign
What does pothole sign mean?
A bedside 'sign' where a patient reports much worse abdominal pain when the car hits bumps on the way in — suggestive of peritoneal irritation, as in appendicitis.
"Strongly positive pothole sign — get surgery to review."
Origin
Clinical folklore turned slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pothole sign?
A bedside clue where a patient's abdominal pain gets much worse when the car hits bumps, suggesting peritoneal irritation such as appendicitis.
Is the pothole sign reliable?
It's clinical folklore rather than a validated test, but a positive one raises suspicion of peritonitis and prompts a surgical review.
Why does bouncing worsen the pain?
Jolting the inflamed peritoneum reproduces the same tenderness you'd get from rebound or coughing.
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