Appendicitis

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

• 540 Acute appendicitis
• 540.0 Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis
• 540.1 Acute appendicitis with peritoneal abscess
• 540.9 Acute appendicitis without mention of peritonitis
• 541 Appendicitis, unqualified
• 542 Other appendicitis
• 543.0 Hyperplasia of appendix (lymphoid)
• 543.9 Other and unspecified diseases of appendix

• 315.4 Developmental coordination disorder (clumsiness, dyspraxia and/or specific motor development disorder)
• 718.45 Contracture of joint, pelvic region and thigh
• 719.70 Difficulty in walking involving joint site unspecified
• 728.2 Muscular wasting and disuse atrophy, not elsewhere classified
• 728.89 Other disorders of muscle, ligament, and fascia
• 729.9 Other and unspecified disorders of soft tissue
• 780.70 Other malaise and fatigue
• 781.2 Abnormality of gait
• 782.3 Edema
• 786.0 Dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities

• K35.2 Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis
• K35.3 Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis
• K35.80 Unspecified acute appendicitis
• K35.89 Other acute appendicitis
• K36 Other appendicitis
• K37 Unspecified appendicitis
• K38.0 Hyperplasia of appendix
• K38.1 Appendicular concretions
• K38.2 Diverticulum of appendix
• K38.3 Fistula of appendix
• K38.8 Other specified diseases of appendix
• K38.9 Disease of appendix, unspecified

• As of December, 2012, the APTA Guide to Physical Therapist Practice does not include practice patterns for organ system pathology. Therefore, the associated or secondary musculoskeletal, cardiovascular/pulmonary, or potential neuromuscular patterns would be indicated.

Description

• Inflammation of the appendix
• Pain in the lower abdominal region on the right side
• Appendix can rupture when blocked by an object, tumor, or feces
• Appendix is a tube of tissue off of the large intestine with an unknown function

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Right abdominal and side (flank) pain
• Positive cultures
• McBurney’s point, tip of right 12th rib tenderness
• Palpation over appendix
• Lab tests

General Considerations

• If untreated can possibly rupture
• Possible referred pain to back, pelvic region, or rectal area (in men)
• Possible secondary problems that may, depending on severity, indicate the need for physical therapy intervention
  • Impairment of aerobic capacity and muscle endurance
  • Sarcopenia
  • Musculoskeletal problems
  • Neuromuscular problems
  • Weight loss
• May mimic colon cancer or tumors, irritable bowel, colitis or, in females, gynecological problems such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or ectopic pregnancies
• Symptoms are frequently referred to the back and abdominal areas, so it may be common to have patients inappropriately referred to PT.
• Pseudoappendicitis: Yersinia enterocolitica

Demographics

• Can occur across the lifespan, from 2 years old and up1
• Most common in individuals between 15 and 30 years of age1

Signs and Symptoms

• High fever
• Diarrhea
• Shaking and chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Discomfort or sharp pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdominal area
• Abdominal tenderness and guarding of the right lower quadrant
• McBurney’s point, tip of right 12th rib tenderness
• Pain in the belly button region without trauma
• Right, low back pain without trauma, insidious onset
• Difficulty standing up ...