percussion
Last reviewed 01/2018
A percussion wave is transmitted by a continuous column of blood and it indicates absent or incompetent valves.
One hand is placed at the lower limit of the palpable veins and the fingers of the other hand tap in turn the upper limit of the palpable veins and the sapheno-femoral junction. If the percussion impulse is felt then this indicates the presence of incompetent valves between the two points.