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Palpation of the urinary bladder

This is an excerpt from A Clinical Guide to Surface Palpation 2nd Edition by Michael Masaracchio,Chana Frommer.

Zone IV: Pelvic Viscera
Urinary Bladder

Positions

• Patient: supine, with the knees bent
• Clinician: standing on either side, facing the head of the table

Instructions

• Palpate the pubic tubercle (see chapter 10) with the index finger and thumb.
• Move the fingers slightly superior to the pubic tubercle.
• Firmly, but gently, begin to sink the thumb and index fingers posteriorly.
• Depending on the fullness of the bladder, it may be located deeper.

Note

• Palpation of the bladder is contraindicated in the following conditions:
• Pregnancy
• Use of intrauterine device (IUD)
• Presence of tumors
• Presence of infection or stones

Clinical Pearl

• Restrictions in urinary bladder mobility can lead to dysfunction at T11 to L2 and at the sacroiliac and sacrococcygeal joints.
• Lower trunk rotation, unilateral heel slides, and single-leg hip external and internal rotation can all be used during visceral mobilization with movement.

More Excerpts From A Clinical Guide to Surface Palpation 2nd Edition

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