We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Lloyd's Sign?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 30,104
Share

"Lloyd’s sign" is a finding on a medical examination indicating that a patient has a kidney stone or infection. Care providers gently tap the back, hitting the space between the 12th rib and the spine. This percussion elicits pain around the kidney, or lower down in the abdomen. The test for Lloyd’s sign can be performed as part of a routine abdominal workup, especially if a patient reports kidney or abdominal pain. If the test is positive, the care provider can discuss the next option, such as medical imaging to take a look at the kidney, or blood testing to check for signs of infection.

A full examination to work up a patient for pain can include observing the abdomen and palpating all sections. Palpation doesn’t necessarily elicit pain, so care providers also percuss, tapping the region. The taps can force internal organs to move, agitating stones or infected tissue and causing pain. To check for Lloyd’s sign, the patient classically sits or stands upright to permit free access to the back. Care providers look for the costovertebral angle (CVA) at the 12th rib, and then gently tap.

Positive results may be known as CVA tenderness in addition to Lloyd’s sign, and the test itself is also known as a kidney punch, which is somewhat misleading. Care providers do not actually punch the kidney, as this could potentially be dangerous for the patient. During the test, it is important to provide feedback about what hurts, where, and when. Lloyd’s sign occurs specifically when the percussion causes the patient to experience pain by jostling a kidney stone or area of pyelonephritis, inflammation around the base of the kidney.

This can be considered along with other findings when deciding how to proceed with treatment. The care provider may request a blood test to look for high concentrations of white blood cells, which can indicate an infection. Urine samples can also provide more information about what is happening inside the kidneys. Medical imaging studies like ultrasound may reveal tell-tale signs of kidney stones. All of this information can be used to formulate a diagnosis and develop recommendations for treatment options.

Stones may be treated with surgery and other procedures to break them up and remove them if it is evident the patient cannot pass them independently. In the case of pyelonephritis, medications can be used to address the inflammation. The patient may also need antibiotics if organisms have settled into the kidneys to take advantage of their weakened state. Some cases are severe and may require hospitalization for treatment, as prolonged inflammation can contribute to the development of kidney failure.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-lloyds-sign.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.